We are continuingly evaluating the curriculum of the residency program.  For 2003-2004, we developed a new initiative for PGY-2 residents involving "Cosmo" in the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Medical Simulation Center.  In the simulator, residents have the opportunity to practice ACLS protocols in advance of serving as a code leader.  The simulator gives the residents the opportunity to learn procedural skills and has realistic responses to medications and other interventions.  Northwestern residents are clear about the benefit they have gained from this opportunity to integrate technology into clinical care.

“It is a scary moment as a second year resident to run those first few codes.  Simulation training engrained in me the ACLS algorithms and how to manage a team in a stressful situation.  I sprint to codes now because I know what to do”  Aashish Didwania, MD. Graduate 2005.

Northwestern’s Internal Medicine residency has gained national acclaim with publications in journals such as Chest and Academic Medicine, and our Program Director, Dr. Diane Wayne, received the SGIM National Medical Education Scholarship Award in 2007 for this innovation.