WELCOME!
This site originated while I was applying to MD/PhD programs in the summer of 2012. As I was trying to learn more about these programs and what it was like to be a physician-scientist in training, I found that there was a lack of personal accounts of this type of training. Wanting to help those who come after me and wanting to maintain a writing outlet during my training, I created this blog to share both the ups and downs of my experience. It is not exhaustive by any means, but I hope you find it helpful!
LATEST POST
Internal Medicine Physician Scientist Training Programs – How do programs compare?
The purpose of this post is to offer a clear and comprehensive approach to selecting your potential future academic home.
THE AUTHOR
Hanna Erickson, MD, PhD completed her MD/PhD training at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana in the spring 2022. She is currently an internal medicine resident at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Stanbury Physician-Scientist Pathway.
WHY MD/PHD?
Physician-scientists are medical doctors who invest a significant amount of time to scientific research. Not only must they be good clinicians but they also must be skilled in performing research. Dual-degree programs that provide training in both medicine (MD or DO) and research (PhD) are just one way to train as a physician-scientist. I chose this pathway because I knew as an undergraduate that I wanted to incorporate basic science research into my career as a physician and I wanted to begin my research training as early as possible.
MD, PhD To Be 