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Applicant Corner

Thank you for your interest in the University of Pittsburgh’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation training program! Our residency training has given us the necessary foundation to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to a diverse group of patients in an environment that is both challenging and supportive. We are especially proud of our program’s commitment to developing physician leaders and to fostering an environment that supports their individual interests. The residency’s distinct research and administrative tracks, innovative medical education experiences, and mentorship for scholarly projects enable residents to create their own paths. Outside of scholarly pursuits, our residents benefit from one of the most livable cities in the country with a vibrant food scene and a wide range of outdoor and recreational experiences.
 

To learn more about the tremendous opportunities available at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, please explore the rest of the website. We look forward to showing you what Pittsburgh has to offer!

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The Department of PM&R strives to prepare rehabilitation professionals to work successfully and in partnership with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. We actively recruit residents, fellows, and faculty with diverse backgrounds and multiple perspectives. We strive to achieve representation of the diverse multifaceted communities we serve. We are committed to cultivating inclusive environments throughout all programs and activities. This work is coordinated by our Department Chair, Clinical/Administrative Leadership, and Diversity and Inclusion Committee. 
 
The committee is chaired by Dr. Betty Liu. Our committee includes residents from all levels of training and attending physicians from a variety of sub-specialties within the field.
Some quick highlights of our diversity include but are not limited to:
  • 50% of our core faculty and residents are women.
  • Our residents serve our community through the Birmingham Free Clinic, Street Medicine Institute, and Community Service Projects.
  • Our residents have the opportunity to mentor and engage medical students through our relationship with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
  • Our residents are engaged in administrative and research projects that look at transforming medicine through inclusion

How to Apply

Application deadline is October 31.
Required materials must be submitted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) only. The following materials must be submitted before the applicant is invited for an interview:
  • Common ERAS application form
  • Curriculum Vitae (with no gaps)
  • Personal Statement
  • Medical school transcript
  • USMLE/COMLEX board scores
  • Minimum of 3 recommendation letters from full-time faculty—preferably one letter from PM&R faculty
  • Dean’s letter of recommendation

Additional Information for International Medical Graduates

Applicants who are international medical graduates must have graduated from a medical school that is certified by the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). They must have graduated from medical school with the past 5 years, and they must have a complete ERAS file that includes all the information listed above.

Traditionally, international applicants who have been the most successful in gaining admission are those who have passed USMLE on the first attempt and also have prior clinical training in the United States. The UPMC Medical Education Program sponsors the J-1 visa for applicants who are accepted.

Information about Categorical and Advanced Programs

We are holding interviews for the advanced and categorical programs together. If you applied to both programs, you only need to come to one interview. You will still have the opportunity to rank one or both of the programs within the NRMP Match. The main difference will be the year you wish to enter the program: i.e. PGY-1 (categorical) and PGY-2 (advanced) PM&R. In order to rank both programs through the Match, you must have an application to both programs through ERAS.

NRMP Codes for UPMC PM&R Programs:
  • Categorical: 1652340C0
  • Advanced: 1652340A0
Additional Advanced Program Information
UPMC offers the following options for PGY-1:
  • UPMC Medical Education Transitional Year Residency Program PM&R Track (NRMP 1652999P3)
  • UPMC Presbyterian Transitional Year (NRMP 1652999P0)
  • UPMC Presbyterian Preliminary Year (NRMP 1652140P0)

Resident Selection

Our program believes in and uses the holistic review method for our recruitment cycle period. To provide some transparency into our approach, we align our definition of holistic review with that of the American Academy of Medical Colleges (AAMC): 
“Holistic review refers to mission-aligned admissions or selection processes that take into consideration applicants’ experiences, attributes, and academic metrics as well as the value an applicant would contribute to learning, practice, and teaching. Holistic Review allows our recruitment and application review committees to consider the ‘whole’ applicant, rather than disproportionately focusing on any one factor.”
 
For more information, please check out the additional resources: https://www.aamc.org/services/member-capacity-building/holistic-review

For the 2023 ERAS® cycle, our program and specialty will participate in the ERAS Supplemental application and Preference Signaling. We encourage all applicants to complete a supplemental application, offered through the AAMC’s ERAS program. We WILL NOT require the Supplemental Application to consider ERAS applications or to extend invitations to applicants. We are reviewing all applications regardless of Supplemental Application content or Preference Signaling.  If candidates are equally qualified based on their application materials, then a Preference Signal or content from the Supplemental Application could increase the chances of being offered an interview.

The additional information collected by the supplemental application will help our program learn more about applicants’ medical education journey and will help us better identify applicants who fit our program environment and mission.

Our approach to ranking applicants at the end of the interview season will not be impacted by the Supplemental Application or Preference Signaling.

The Interview Process

Interviews for both the Categorical and Advanced positions take place on Mondays and Thursdays from late October through mid-December.
Interviews for the 2023-2024 application cycle will be conducted virtually.
 
Thank you for considering UPMC PM&R as a potential program to complete your residency!  We are thrilled to have the opportunity to meet you virtually this year. We are eager to show you as much as we can of our opportunities and culture in Pittsburgh. Our goal is to enable you to make the best decision for you personally, in your PM&R career that lies ahead. 

Our Interview Invitation timeline:
  • We start our holistic review of applications as soon as ERAS opens for program review of applications.
  • We do not send out more interview invitations than interview spots. 
  • Invitations to be sent out between mid- and end of October 2023
  • Regret emails will be sent out the second week of November 2023
We invite each interviewing candidate to virtual social events hosted by our residents and UPMC Medical Education Diversity and Inclusion team. These are optional opportunities to learn more about our program and culture. Please see our social media sites for additional information - Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
 
Tentative Interview Day Outline:
Subject to change at the discretion of the program. 
Timeslot
Title of Presentation
10 mins
Welcome to UPMC PM&R Residency Program
Presented by the GME Program Administrative Team
20 mins
Introduction to the UPMC PM&R Residency Program
Presented by the Residency Program Director & Associate Program Directors
20 mins
Overview of the Residency Program
Presented by the Chiefs & Recruitment Committee Representative 
90 mins
Three Interviews (Interviewers include Program Director, Faculty Member, and Recruitment Champion)
Two Breakout Rooms that are 40 minutes each (20 Minutes Break in Between) Discussion with current Residents and Committee Members 
10 mins
Final Q&A and Wrap Up
 

Stipends and Benefits

Information about the compensation packages for residents and fellows is available from UPMC's Graduate Medical Education Committee.