At the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program at Charles R. Drew University, we look for compassionate, caring physicians who put their patients’ wellbeing first.
Our residents become well-rounded, culturally competent internists who are dedicated to caring for vulnerable and marginalized communities. Through a rigorous, mentorship-driven curriculum, we help you grow into the kind of doctor you set out to be—one grounded in clinical excellence, empathy, and advocacy.
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
We use an X + Y scheduling system, where X is 4 weeks of inpatient or subspecialty rotations (sometimes 2 weeks of each), and Y is 1 week of continuity clinic only.
PGY-1
- Wards: 20 weeks
- ICU / CCU: 4-8 weeks
- Subspecialty Elective: 10-12 weeks
- Continuity Clinic: 12-13 weeks
- Vacation: 4 weeks
PGY-2
- Wards: 12 weeks
- ICU / CCU: 8 weeks
- Subspecialty Elective: 13-15 weeks
- Continuity Clinic: 12-13 weeks
- Community & Behavioral Health: 2 weeks
- Vacation: 4 weeks
PGY-3
- Wards: 12 weeks
- ICU / CCU: 4 weeks
- Subspecialty Elective: 20 weeks
- Continuity Clinic: 13 weeks
- Vacation: 4 weeks
Subspecialty exposure includes Cardiology, Pulmonology, GI, Heme/Onc, ID, Endocrine, Nephrology, Geriatrics, Neurology, Palliative Medicine, Rheumatology, Sleep Medicine, and Addiction Medicine.
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
Financial Support: Salaries, Stipends, and Allowances
(Base salary effective October 1, 2026)
| year | Base Salary | STIPENDS & ALLOWANCES | Total Compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGY-1 | $79,866 | $17,900 | $97,766 | |
| PGY-2 | $79,866 | $20,966 | $100,832 | |
| PGY-3 | $79,866 | $18,966 | $98,832 |
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 considering the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles for the 2026-2027 Match. I remember what this season felt like as an applicant myself, equal parts excitement and uncertainty. So first, congratulations on making it this far.
As I write this, I find myself thinking about the residents who’ve come through our program in recent years, the ones who walked in a little unsure of themselves and walked out as confident, compassionate internists. That transformation is why I love this job. I’m proud of this institution’s legacy of serving the underserved, but what makes me proudest is our people, the residents and faculty who show up for each other and our patients every day.
Located in the heart of Los Angeles, you’ll care for an incredibly diverse patient population, which means seeing medicine in its full complexity. With new partnerships at Kaiser Permanente and USC, our residents move between community practice and tertiary university care, all still rooted in evidence-based medicine, cultural humility, and service to the community we call home.
I’m also excited to share how we’re bringing thoughtful innovation into daily practice. During your ambulatory block at Watts Clinic, you’ll use Sunoh.ai, an AI-powered ambient listening technology that lets you talk with patients naturally while it generates clinical documentation in the background, so your attention can stay where it belongs.
I’m proud of what our residents are accomplishing academically, too. Our QI curriculum has grown into something robust, with scholarly activity increasing year over year through real projects addressing real problems at the sites where our patients are cared for.
And I have to brag for a moment on our resident-led Wellness Committee, who have outdone themselves planning fun, engaging activities for the upcoming year. If you want a real glimpse of what our program culture looks like, follow and like our CDU residency Instagram page to see the academic milestones, wellness events, and everyday moments that make this program special.
Whatever you’re drawn to, primary care, hospital medicine, a subspecialty, academic leadership, our faculty will show up as mentors who genuinely want to help you get there. As Dr. Charles Drew taught, medicine is more than science, it’s service. Thank you for considering CDU. I hope to see your name on our rank list.
Warmly,
Dr. Binay Eapen FACP
Program Director
Internal Medicine Residency Program
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
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