The Department of Medicine accepts into the preliminary year program the candidate desiring a strong clinical year of internal medicine before pursuing training at the second-year level in dermatology, anesthesiology, ophthalmology and others specialties.  The rotations and responsibilities for the intern accepted into the preliminary program are similar to those of the intern in the categorical program. Successful completion of this year qualifies the trainee for one year toward board certification in internal medicine.  Compared to the categorical first year, the preliminary year includes one rotation in the NMH Emergency Room and one month of critical care (instead of two).  Preliminary track residents are not expected to have a continuity outpatient clinic.  Graduates of this track universally enjoy it; please contact Maija Hasiba if you’d like to get more information at mhasiba@nmh.org.