Internal Medicine/Pediatrics was first recognized as a formal training discipline in 1967, though the basic idea originated well before that. The specialty combines two years of categorical training in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, for four total years of training. Med/Peds graduates are eligible to take both the Internal Medicine and Pediatrics boards, and historically have performed as well as their categorical colleagues.

Med/Peds residents are well equipped to treat patients of all ages, and in all settings, from the clinic to the ICU. Graduates have the ability to double-board in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. This gives them the option to practice either specialty individually, both together, or to sub specialize in any field available to categorical Internal Medicine or Pediatrics residents. There are also specific Med/Peds subspecialty training programs.

About half of graduates join primary care practices, with the majority providing care for adults and children. About 40% also continue some affiliation with medical education and academic medicine.  Approximately 25% pursue fellowship and subspecialty training, with another 15% becoming hospitalists. Other graduates choose to practice exclusive Internal Medicine or Pediatrics, or work in the ER setting.

To ensure solid grounding in both specialties, Med/Peds residents are required to complete nearly the same core requirements as categorical residents, but to fit the training into four years, some elective time is sacrificed.

There are several major differences. Med/Peds residents train with categorical Internal Medicine and Pediatrics programs. While some Family Medicine programs do the same, many receive the bulk of their training in these disciplines from Family Medicine faculty. Also, Family Medicine residents receive training in Obstetrics, and usually some in Surgery, while Med/Peds residents get more training in both general and subspecialty Internal Medicine and Pediatrics in terms of both total time invested and level of acuity. Last, because Med/Peds residents are double-boarded, they have a wider menu of post-residency training and practice options.

We are a small program. We believe this makes for a much more collegial, personal experience than might be available at many larger places. Our size also makes us flexible. It is very easy to voice new ideas and implement them quickly. We are a community program.

Our faculty, from hospitalists to rheumatologists, are practicing clinicians with years of experience. They also teach because they want to. While research is respected, encouraged and supported, we do not train with anyone who would rather be researching than teaching.

We have no fellows. That means on subspecialty rotations, in the ICU/PICU/NICU, and all other settings, residents do the things fellows would do elsewhere. It also means residents work with and learn directly from attending physicians.

Our rotations are at the VA and two large community hospitals - one not-for-profit, one private. This means we leave residency well-prepared for how medicine is practiced in the real world.

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and the referral center for most south central, and western Kansas, and parts of northern Oklahoma. We see a wide variety of patient presentations and pathology across all age groups.

While not sacrificing inpatient work, we do more ambulatory training than the average Med/Peds residency. Since the majority of medicine, but especially Pediatrics, is practiced in the outpatient setting, we feel this is good preparation for real-world practice.

And this is just a partial list!

Total Population: 360,410; Metropolitan Area: 600,000
Age > 18: 73%, White: 75%, Black or African American: 11%, Hispanic or Latino: 9%,
Asian/Pacific Islander: 4%, American Indian and Alaska Native: 1%

We have an art museum, botanical gardens, theater and choral events including the nationally-known Music Theatre of Wichita, an opera company, a semi-pro baseball team, a Division I university, and a nationally-recognized zoo. 

We are proudly not New York City, L.A., or Chicago. Along with what we have mentioned, you get friendly neighbors, four seasons, good schools, and a short commute from anywhere in the city. And if you find yourself pining for the faster pace of a major metropolis, both Kansas City and Oklahoma City are within easy driving distance, as is Lawrence, a classic college town, and the home of the University of Kansas' main campus.

Find out more about Wichita