The Internal Medicine Residency Training Program at Charles R. Drew University develops compassionate, well-rounded, culturally competent internists dedicated to serving the needs of underserved and special populations.
Through CDU’s unique curriculum, residents receive intensive training across five pillars:
- Research
- Social justice
- International exposure
- Experiential education
- Health policy
The program seeks individuals who are committed to:
- The care of indigent patients
- Understanding and influencing public policy designed to address health care disparities
- Embracing their role as holistic care providers who educate patients on community resources and services
Rotation Curriculum
Each year consists of 13 blocks, including one vacation block. One block consists of three weeks of coursework and one week of ambulatory rotation.
PGY1
- Community and Behavioral Health Rotation (1 block)
- Wards (5 blocks)
- ICU/CCU (1 block)
- Selective (2 blocks)
- ER (1 block)
- Elective (2 blocks)
- Vacation (1 block)
PGY2
- Wards (4 blocks)
- Selective (3 blocks)
- Elective (3 blocks)
- ICU/CCU (2 blocks)
- Vacation (1 block)
PGY3
- Wards (3 blocks)
- Selective (3 blocks)
- Elective (4 blocks)
- ER (1 block)
- ICU/CCU (1 block)
- Vacation (1 block)
Electives
Residents have mandatory exposure (selective) to the following subspecialties: Cardiology, Pulmonology, Gastroenterology, Hematology and Oncology, Infectious Disease, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Geriatric Medicine, and Neurology. Rheumatology is available as an elective.
Residents have the opportunity for experience in: Psychiatry, Allergy/Immunology, Dermatology, Medical Ophthalmology, Office Gynecology, Otorhinolaryngology, Non-operative Orthopedics, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Sleep Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Addiction Medicine
Salary & Benefits as of June 1st, 2024
| year | Base Salary | Total benefits | Total Compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGY1 | $72,301.16 | $18,075.29 | $90,376.45 | |
| PGY2 | $74,209.26 | $18,552.32 | $92,761.58 | |
| PGY3 | $78,064.87 | $19,516.22 | $97,581.09 |
Base Perks
- Meal Stipend +$6K
- Housing Allowance +$10K
- One paid conference registration during training
- Rising PGY2 only: One-time educational bonus $2k
- PGY4 only: Chief Training Conference & Stipend
Other Wellbeing Offerings
- CPI – Nonviolent Crisis Prevention & Intervention Training
- Annual retreat
- Year-Round Chief Managed Wellness Programming
- Department Activities
Application Information
Application Deadline: December 1st
Applications are accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Interviews are conducted from October through February.
- ERAS Application
- Medical/Osteopathic School Transcript
- Dean’s Letter
- Personal Statement
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three Letters of Recommendation: At least one letter must come from a faculty member licensed in the specialty you are applying for. Their recommendation should comment directly on your clinical performance in that field. Letters from individual faculty members are preferred.
- USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Transcript (or COMLEX Level I & II)
- ECFMG Certification (if applicable)
Message from the Program Director
Dear Applicants,
Hello and a warm welcome! Thank you for your interest in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles. Choosing a residency program is one of the most important decisions in your medical journey, and we are delighted that you are considering becoming part of our close-knit academic community. As Program Director, I am proud to be part of an institution recognized for its commitment to serving the underserved, its exceptional leadership, and, above all, its remarkable residents and faculty who make our program so special. Our mission is clear: to help you grow into the best physician you can be and fully prepare you for the next stage of your career.
Our residency combines clinical and academic excellence with a deep dedication to reducing health disparities and improving care for underserved populations. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the program offers the unique opportunity to train with a diverse patient population, exposing you to a wide range of medical conditions and practice settings. This experience helps shape our residents into compassionate, adaptable clinicians who are prepared to excel in any environment.
Our curriculum balances rigorous inpatient and outpatient training with individualized mentorship and academic support. With new partnerships at Kaiser Permanente and USC, residents rotate through multiple subspecialties and experience both community practice and tertiary university care. Rooted in evidence-based medicine, cultural humility, and service, our program encourages active engagement in research, advocacy, and community outreach to address the needs of the populations we serve.
We are committed to supporting your professional and personal growth. At CDU, you will find an inclusive, collaborative environment that values resilience, service, and lifelong learning. Faculty mentors will guide you in pursuing your goals, whether in primary care, hospital medicine, subspecialty training, or academic leadership.
As Dr. Charles Drew taught, medicine is more than science—it is service. Here, your residency becomes a calling: rigorous, supported, and transformative. We welcome those ready to make a genuine difference and look forward to meeting you, learning about your aspirations, and sharing how CDU can help you achieve them.
Binay Eapen, MD, FACP
Program Director Internal Medicine Residency Program
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Los Angeles, CA
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