Mission Statement

The KSOM of USC Internal Medicine Residency Program is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of physician leaders through rigorous training in clinical excellence, scientific inquiry, and compassionate patient care. We are committed to providing our trainees with the knowledge, skills and experiences that enable them to serve the health needs of our diverse communities across varied healthcare environments.

Unique aspects: Our program will offer an unparalleled training experience, distinguished by two core pillars: diverse clinical exposure across four Los Angeles hospitals and exceptional faculty with profound expertise in both clinical medicine and cutting-edge research. From highly specialized quaternary care centers to community-focused settings, residents will encounter and master the complexities of diverse pathologies, socioeconomic factors, and cultural considerations that define modern medicine. This rich, varied exposure cultivates highly adaptable and comprehensively skilled clinicians, ready to excel in any future practice environment.

Message from our Director

Program Leadership

Welcome Letter

Thank you for your interest in the Keck School of Medicine of USC Internal Medicine Residency Program (KSOM of USC IM Residency program).

We are launching this program at a truly exciting time where the expansion of our Keck Medicine of USC hospitals in recent years has created an exceptional opportunity to advance USC’s renowned educational mission while continuing to serve the vibrant communities of Los Angeles.

We understand the crucial role your residency experience plays in shaping your professional identity, and it is a responsibility we approach with diligence. Our commitment is to provide you with a comprehensive and diverse range of clinical experiences that will empower you to become a well-rounded physician leader, poised to excel in any path you choose after your training.

You will benefit immensely from training alongside highly skilled and experienced clinicians who are dedicated to mentorship. You will have opportunities to engage in research and other scholarly activities, both in academic and clinical medicine. We are profoundly committed to fostering a learning environment that thoughtfully challenges you to maximize your growth, all while prioritizing healthy work-life integration.
A strategic advantage of our program is the unparalleled clinical exposure gained from rotating through our hospitals located across prime Los Angeles. This unique footprint offers extensive access to diverse patient demographics and unique pathology, providing a breadth of experience that only a major metropolitan area can deliver. Beyond the clinical setting, you will find yourself in the midst of vibrant cultural and networking opportunities, both within and outside of our campus.

We invite you to explore our website further to learn more about our innovative curriculum, dedicated faculty, and the dynamic environment awaiting you. We are confident that you will find a program committed to your success and well-being.

Sincerely,
Kavitha Bagavathy, MD

How to Apply

  • Applicants to the Keck School of Medicine of USC Internal Medicine Residency must apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). All residency positions will be offered only through the National Residency Match Program (NRMP). To apply to our accredited program, please search for the ACGME ID number 1400500020. The NRMP Code is 2284140C0. Documents that are mailed, faxed, or emailed cannot be incorporated into your file. KSOM of USC IM program will use signaling for the upcoming ERAS season.

    The Application Deadline is December 1, 2025. Interviews will occur via Zoom from November 2025 to January 2026. Interview invitations and scheduling will be via Thalamus.

    • ERAS Common Application Form
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Personal Statement
    • MSPE or Deans Letter or Equivalent
    • Medical School Transcript
    • USMLE/complex score reports
    • Minimum two Letters of Recommendation
    • ECFMG Certificates (if applicable)
    • Must be U.S. Citizen or classified as a Permanent Resident
    • Interviews will be conducted via Zoom
    • The day starts with a brief welcome and an overview of the residency from our Program Director. It will include an overview of our curriculum and mentorship programs. Applicants then go to their individual interviews with faculty members.
    • You’ll have an opportunity to meet program leadership and learn about training sites: Keck Medical Center of USC, USC Arcadia Hospital, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and the USC Keck School of Medicine Health Sciences Campus.
    • Applicants are encouraged to ask any questions they have regarding the fellowship program to faculty and staff

Curriculum

    • Specialty Grand rounds
    • Quality improvement and patient safety conferences (Includes Morbidity and Mortality conference)
    • Multi-Disciplinary Case Conference
    • Morning Report
    • Journal Club and Evidence based medicine conferences
    • Personal and Professional development conferences.
    • Intern Boot Camp
    • Board Review
    • Core didactics (ambulatory and inpatient curriculum)
    • Ultrasound Workshop
    • ACLS Simulation Center
    • Procedure Sim lab

Research and Scholarly Opportunities

Our residents will have the opportunity to work on Research and QI projects with faculty mentors across the different hospitals, both within the department of medicine and by collaborating with faculty and trainees from other specialties. They will also be able to collaborate with faculty in scholarly activities that include (but are not limited to) case reports, presentations at regional and national conferences, textbook chapters, journal articles, etc to name a few.

Learn about our Department of Medicine research programs at Research – Department of Medicine.

Sample Rotation Schedule

We follow a 3+1 schedule, designed to balance inpatient and outpatient training. Each dedicated +1 week allows residents to fully immerse themselves in ambulatory medicine.

 

PGY1 PGY2 PGY3
Internal Medicine Wards
12 Weeks
Internal Medicine Wards
6 Weeks
Internal Medicine Wards
12 Weeks
Ambulatory Medicine
11 Weeks
Ambulatory Medicine
11 Weeks
Ambulatory Medicine
11 Weeks
CCU
3 Weeks
CCU
3 Weeks
Geriatric Medicine
3 Weeks
MICU
3 Weeks
MICU
3 Weeks
MICU
3 Weeks
Elective
9 Weeks
Elective
9 Weeks
Elective
6 Weeks
Norris Wards/ICU
3 Weeks
Norris Wards/ICU
3 Weeks
Norris Wards/ICU
3 Weeks
Keck GI/Liver
3 Weeks
Emergency Medicine
3 Weeks
Keck GI/Liver
3 Weeks
Night Float
3 Weeks
Night Float
6 Weeks
Night Float
6 Weeks
Neurology
1 Week
Palliative Care
6 Weeks
Addiction Medicine
1 Week
Vacation
4 Weeks
Vacation
4 Weeks
Vacation
4 Weeks

Clinical Training Sites

Keck Medicine of USC

Keck Hospital of USC is a 343-bed acute care hospital that provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. It combines academic excellence, world-class research and state-of-the-art facilities to provide highly specialized care for some of the most acute patients in the country.

Keck Medicine of USC

USC Norris Cancer Hospital

USC Norris Cancer Hospital is a 60-bed hospital and has been an innovative leader in the cancer field, setting a global standard for cutting edge research accelerating programs to prevent, control, and cure cancer for over 40 years. It is one of the eight original comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

USC Norris Cancer Hospital

USC Arcadia Hospital

USC Arcadia Hospital is a full-service hospital designated as a center of excellence for heart and stroke care, joint and knee replacement, and weight loss surgery services. Doctors see an average of more than 40,000 patients in the emergency department each year.

USC-Arcadia-Hospital

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital has been serving the needs of patients in the cities of Glendale and La Cañada Flintridge, and the surrounding Foothill communities for more than 40 years. Services include a 24-hour emergency room, a primary stroke center, bariatric and minimally invasive surgery, orthopaedic surgery, occupational, physical and speech therapy, cardiac rehabilitation and imaging and diagnostic services. With access to world-class specialized care, clinical trials and breakthrough technology.

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital

Resident Benefits and Salary

  • Salaries correspond with Post Graduate Year and completed years of training and appointment of residency position. All residents will be members of the CIR-SEIU union.  Salary and benefits are subject to change based on any collective bargaining agreement between the parties. Residents are paid monthly. The current annual pretax salaries are:

    • PGY-1: $72,301.16
    • PGY-2: $74,209.26
    • PGY-3: $78,064.87
  • Health and medical: Trainees can opt into high-quality benefit plans for medical, dental, and vision care. Visit USC health and medical benefits for more information

    • Vacation
    • Paid Sick days
    • Paid parental and family leave and benefits
    • Bereavement Leave
    • Protected time for taking required exams
    • 5 CME days for attending a conference
    • Residents are provided access to meals while on duty
    • Annual housing allowance
    • Education stipend for expenses
    • Reimbursement for required licenses and renewals
    • Chief Bonus
    • Parking is provided
    • White coat and scrubs are provided

Resident Life

Living in Los Angeles means being surrounded by beautiful beaches, mountains, and deserts. The city offers cultural gems, diverse neighborhoods, recreational spots, and housing trends. Life in LA is about enjoying the outdoors and exploring diverse cuisines. The city has warm and rainless weather, bustling Hollywood and influencer scene, amazing eats, and iconic beaches.

Events for Residents

  • New Residents Welcome Party
  • Holiday Party
  • Graduation
  • Social Gatherings
  • Los Angeles Cuisine

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