Residency Curriculum - PM-1 Year

The DSHS Preventive Medicine Residency is a two-year training program that begins in the PGY-2 year. The entering physician must have completed a PGY-1 preliminary or transitional residency year prior to starting the program. Our program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Graduates are eligible for board certification in Public Health/Preventive Medicine from the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

PM-1 (PGY-2) Year

For most residents, the PM-1 year will focus on completing most of the requirements for the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. This degree is required to successfully complete the residency. There will be a few courses that must be taken in the PM-2 year. These will be taken online to allow full participation in rotations. The MPH will focus on specific sciences including: biostatistics, clinical preventive services, environmental health, epidemiology, health services management and administration, risk control and communication, and social and behavioral influences on health.

PM-1 residents who have completed an MPH may still need to take additional classes. The Association of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has a list of specific classes that are required. Most PM-1 residents who enter with an MPH have one or more course to complete.

For PM-1 residents who has completed an MPH and meets all ACGME required coursework will still be engaged in the residency for two years. These residents will have the opportunity to dive deeper into rotations and research as compared to their peers.

If a resident requires an MPH, the program will cover the costs for attending the University of Texas Health Science Center - School of Public Health at the Austin Campus. It is the resident’s responsibility to apply and gain admission to the school prior to starting the residency.

The PM-1 residents will engage in additional learning experiences beyond the MPH. These include the following.

• Book clubs
• Health systems Management
• Quality Improvement and project
• Clinical activities
• Lectures
• Infectious Disease Lecture Series
• Chronic Disease Lecture Series
• Evidence-based Medicine Lecture Series
• Public Health and Preventive Medicine Lecture Series
• Health Disparities, Health Equity, and Social Determinants of Health
• DSHS Public Health Grand Rounds
• Journal club
• Health Systems management rotation and mentoring
• Other lectures, conferences and events

When opportunity and time permits, PM1 residents will participate in outbreaks, contact investigations, preparedness planning and response and other real-world experiences.