Goals

The educational goals of our Internal Medicine program include training residents in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of patients while emphasizing the principles of OPP/OMM, medical knowledge, patient care, professionalism, interpersonal skills, system based practice and practice based learning.

Mission

Our mission is to provide excellent patient care and service to Southeastern Colorado. In doing so, we will produce a well-rounded general internist who is proficient in clinical medicine and exhibits empathy toward patients.

Vision

Our vision is to become one of the best Internal Medicine programs in the Western United States through excellent patient care, continuous quality improvement initiatives and outstanding graduate medical education in internal medicine.
Residency application process

Thank you for your interest in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at UCHealth Parkview Medical Center. The program is ACGME accredited with Osteopathic Recognition. NRMP match code 2050140C0.

The Department of Internal Medicine offers TEN categorical (three year) residency training positions. With options to pursue interests in Primary Care, Hospital based and Advanced General Internal Medicine.

UCHealth Parkview Medical Center participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). Applicants must submit their completed application in the standard format using ERAS by the deadline specified. Applications by email, fax or any other delivery will not be accepted.

The following documents are required for the application to be considered complete:

  • An official school transcript.
  • Curriculum vitae (ERAS generated).
  • Personal statement.
  • Scores for Step I and Step II of the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) -or- Level I and Level II CE of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX).
  • Dean’s letter of recommendation (Medical Student Performance Letter).
  • Letters of recommendation. We require a letter from your Chair (or designee) of the Department of Medicine. We prefer at least one other letter to be from an internal medicine faculty member who is able to assess your clinical competency and medical knowledge.
  • Personal interviews are by invitation only and are based on the applicant’s academic performance, USMLE or COMLEX scores, letter of recommendation, interests in primary care and hospital internal medicine and other accomplishments as detailed in the ERAS application.

International Medical Graduate Applicants:

  • If you are not a United States citizen or Permanent Resident, it is our policy that you request J-1 visa sponsorship through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Please contact ECFMG for their application materials and eligibility requirements www.ecfmg.org.
  • UCHealth Parkview Medical Center is a host institution for ECFMG sponsored J-1 visas. Our facility does not sponsor visas for house staff.
  • Pre-requisites include:
    • Passing USMLE Step I and Step II, and if you have taken it, Step III.
    • 6-12 months U.S. clinical experience is preferred and inpatient experience is preferred. Observerships are considered as U.S. experience.
    • Graduation from medical school within four years of application is preferred.
    • Applicants are required to have successfully passed a standardized English Language proficiency assessment or Occupational English Test (OET) and to exhibit advanced proficiency during the interview process.
    • Three letters of recommendation that are an honest representation of the applicant.

International Medical Graduates:

UCHealth Parkview Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and the Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS). Applications submitted by e-mail, fax or any other delivery system will not be accepted.

If you are not a United States citizen or Permanent Resident, it is our policy that you request J-1 visa sponsorship through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Please contact ECFMG for their application materials and eligibility requirements.

ECFMG-ERAS Program

P.O. Box 13467

Philadelphia, PA 19104-3467

www.ecfmg.org

UCHealth Parkview Medical Center is a host institution for ECFMG sponsored J-1 visas. We do not sponsor visas for house staff.

Pre-requisites include:

  • Passing USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK exam on the first attempt.
  • If you have taken Step III, passing on the first attempt.
  • 6-12 months U.S. clinical experience preferred; inpatient experience preferred; observerships are considered as U.S. experience.
  • Graduation from medical school within 4 years is preferred.
  • Must have successfully passed a standardized English language proficiency assessment or Occupational English Test (OET) Medicine.
  • Three letters of recommendation that are an honest representation of the applicant.

Interviews:

Interviews are scheduled from mid-September to mid-January for candidates participating in the NRMP match. UCHealth Parkview Medical Center uses the Thalamus GME interview management program. All interview logistical correspondence and scheduling will occur through the Thalamus program.

Post Interview Communication:

In order to avoid potential miscommunication, UCHealth Parkview Medical Center limits post-interview communication. However, if you have a specific question about the program following your interview, please contact a member of the Ambassador team.

Audition rotations

We feel it is important that every resident be a good fit for the Residency program that they select. The Internal Medicine residency program is excited to offer FOURTH-YEAR United States medical students an opportunity to rotate with our program. If you are an International Medical School Student or Graduate please visit our Observerships page for more information.

Please note that if we do not have a program letter of agreement (PLA) on file for your school, one will need to be initiated.

Our GME office requires no less than 90 days notice to complete this process.

The Graduate Medical Education office is now accepting applications.

Rotations are scheduled to BEGIN in September of each academic year. All rotations go the first of the month to the 29th of the month unless the 1st occurs on a weekend, then it will begin on that following Monday. Our last rotation ENDS January 31st. We will accept applications all year for the current cycle and the following cycle. Please specify on your application what month/year (September – January) you prefer. You can list two dates in the event that your first choice is filled.

Please complete and submit the following information to [email protected].

  • Completed application
  • Current copy of CV
  • Current photo
  • All Comlex/USMLE scores that are available

Applications will be reviewed.

Email confirmation of approval/non-approval will be sent.

Welcome letter will be sent approximately two months prior to start of your rotation.

Submit required documents to Graduate Medical Education Office:

Heather M. Ortiz, MBA

Phone: 719-584-4561

Email: [email protected]

Note: We do not provide housing for medical students. You can apply for housing through Southeastern Colorado AHEC. Debra Ball is the Student Housing Coordinator/Business Office Manager

[email protected] 719-544-7833 Toll Free 1-866-330-7100

  • Open this hyperlink: https://www.secahec.org.
  • Scroll down to Student Support.
  • Next page, scroll down to student housing information.
  • Complete the Housing Request Form and Student Housing Contract.
  • Return both to Debra Ball.
Apply
Observerships

International Medical School Students or Graduates interested in completing an Observership at UCHealth Parkview must have already arranged for an accepting sponsoring physician at our institution who agrees to supervise them in order to move forward with setting up the observership.

The sponsoring physician will need to reach out to the GME office to initiate the observership application process. Once observer has arranged for an accepting sponsoring physician, the applicant will be required to pay a one-time non-refundable $150 application fee to secure their observership slot.

Upon receipt of the application fee, the Medical Education office will reach out with next steps.

*Please note that observer will be responsible for covering the cost of their own background check and drug screen that will be part of the application process

Physician faculty

Theresa Braden, DO

Dr. Braden is board certified in Internal Medicine and board certified in Emergency Medicine. She will assist physicians both inpatient and in the clinic and work to incorporate osteopathic principles and practices into the daily routines of the house staff in the clinic. She earned her degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences-College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, MO.  Her residency training was completed at POH Regional Medical Center, where she went on to have a successful internal medicine and emergency medicine practice before joining UCHealth Parkview in June 2009 when she started in the ER with Southern Colorado Emergency Medicine Associates. 

Meghan Timmerman, DO

Dr. Timmerman is a board certified internist by both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine. She graduated from Des Moines University School of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012. She completed residency at UCHealth Parkview Medical Center in 2015 where she served as chief resident. After graduation she worked as a hospitalist for a year and then joined the Graduate Medical Education staff in May of 2015 as the Internal Medicine Residency clinic director. She currently serves as the associate program director and the director of the wellness program for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. She has a Masters in Public Health from Columbia University and a teaching certificate in medical education from Johns Hopkins University.

Stephanie Lucas, MD

Dr. Lucas graduated from Texas A & M College of Medicine, in College Station Texas in May of 2015, and completed her residency training at Florida Atlantic University/Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine in Boca Raton, Florida. Dr. Lucas joined the staff in March of 2020, after briefly working full time in primary care. She is board certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Lucas is the Didactics Coordinator for the Residency Program.

Kourtney Lee, DO

Dr. Aylor-Lee graduated from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 2017, completed her Internal Medicine residency here at in 2020 and is currently board certified in Internal Medicine. She has a passion for resident wellness and increasing humanism in medicine. In her free time you can find her camping, hiking, gardening or skiing with her husband and kids. Originally from Texas, she is proud to now call Pueblo home and loves everything Colorado has to offer.

Lindsey Longfellow, DO

Dr. Longfellow is a Pueblo native. She is board certified in Internal Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine. She completed her residency training at UCHealth Parkview Medical Center in 2018. During her residency she served as Junior Chief and Senior Chief as well as receiving accolades including Clinic Resident of the Year and Resident of the Year. Dr. Longfellow graduated from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine as part of the Rural and Wilderness Track. After graduation from residency, Dr. Longfellow continued here as a Hospitalist. She served as Assistant Medical Director for 2 years before transitioning to Graduate Medical Education in February 2022. Dr. Longfellow is the Inpatient Coordinator for the Residency Program.

Dharmista Chaudhary, DO

Dr. Chaudhary graduated from Smt. N.H.L medical college, Gujarat India. Later completed her residency here in 2022 and currently is board certified in Internal medicine. 

Douglas Duffee, MD

Dr. Duffee is a Seminary trained and board certified General Internist.  He graduated from East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine and completed residency training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  In January 2019, after 25 years of community based Internal Medicine practice, Dr. Duffee closed his private practice and transitioned to his role as full time faculty Attending Physician. He has been part of the Core Faculty since the program’s inception in 2012.

Kayleigh Zerr, DO

Dr. Zerr is board certified in Internal Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine. She completed medical school at Rocky Vista University. She graduated from UCHealth Parkview’s Internal Medicine Residency in 2016 and joined the Graduate Medical Education staff as an outpatient internal medicine faculty in July of 2016. She is currently the assistant director of the residency clinic.

Residents
first year residents
second year residents
third year residents

If you have questions about our residency program, please contact our coordinator, Heather Ortiz.

Residency overview

The Internal Medicine Residency at UCHealth Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado began in 2012. The vision of the UCHealth Parkview Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency is to become one of the best Internal Medicine programs in the Western United States through excellent patient care, continuous quality improvement initiatives and outstanding graduate medical education in internal medicine.

  • A 13-block schedule of calendar month rotations well-balanced in inpatient and outpatient experiences.
  • Rotations dedicated to learning and performing procedures including airway management, LP, paracentesis and point of care ultrasound.  Additional procedures are encountered during the ICU blocks.
  • A comprehensive curriculum which focuses on core didactic topics and clinical competency challenge recognition for quantifying specific inpatient and outpatient skill sets.
  • Scholarly activity opportunities in quality improvement and clinical research leading to local, regional and national presentations and peer reviewed publications.
  • An outpatient clinic modeled on real world patient care, ownership of personal patients and introduction to coding, billing and documentation details.
  • Individualizable program emphases in outpatient, hospital and advanced internal medicine.
  • Personalized mentorships with generalist and specialist faculty.

Curriculum overview

Clinical Training and practice Exams 

Our Resident education is based on a foundation of general internal medicine.  The program includes core and elective rotations in internal medicine and its subspecialties, intensive care, neurology, anesthesia (airway management), gynecology and emergency medicine.   We also offer electives in Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) and Advanced General Internal Medicine. The didactic curriculum is based on MKSAP/ABIM materials with regular quizzes over select topics as well as a yearly comprehensive In-training exam. Additionally, 5 days of CME and stipend for board review are available to the PGY-3 residents.

Conferences and Programs

  • Morning Report – Allows night residents to present their overnight admissions directly to faculty and the day team for seamless transition of care.
  • Morbidity and Mortality Conferences – Given monthly, a team including one resident and one fellow will share presenting a case with root-cause analysis.
  • Interdepartmental Grand Rounds – Virtual Grand Rounds provide access to renowned speakers from across the state and country.
  • Journal Club – Presentations given once per month. Chief residents will assign articles to designated residents at the start of each month for analysis.
  • Evidenced-based medicine didactic lectures – These lectures are led by faculty, sub-specialists, residents and fellows, and include a board-review component.

Mentors

You are assigned a faculty adviser who can provide educational and professional advice, as well as personal support. They will also provide you with quarterly feedback in the 6 ACGME competencies. 

Residency Scholarship

Residents are required to complete scholarly activity prior to graduation, which includes both a QI project and a case presentation/research project. We encourage residents to attend and present at local, regional and national conferences. Medical record system resources are available to those with IRB approved clinical research projects.

  • Learning Tracks
    • Hospitalist: Track provides additional time on inpatient service with elective hospitalist rotations and unique moonlighting opportunities covering overnight and weekend shifts with sign outs directly to and from the hospitalist team.
    • Primary Care: Track provides opportunity to have extra continuity clinic time as well as exposure to practice management processes and outpatient clinic procedures.
  • Procedures
    • Ample training and experience are provided to gain experience with paracentesis, lumbar puncture and arthrocentesis through our department. Opportunities to become adept in central line placement and thoracentesis will be given to you through the pulmonology and critical care services. We will have a skills day once per year to build confidence with attempting procedures.
  • Continuity Clinic
    • You will have one half day of clinic per week during which you will see your own patient panel and cover for your colleague partners. Each resident is given a panel of approximately 100 patients to manage. You will be responsible for follow up care, interpreting lab results and managing the patient’s prescriptions. You will engage in in-office procedures such as arthrocentesis, joint injection and cryotherapy. You will also learn valuable billing and coding skills along the way.
  • Resident Responsibilities
    • Engage in supervised, progressively autonomous patient care including hospital service and the building of an outpatient practice by means of hospital discharge, advancing resident and community referrals.
    • Participate in an evaluation process that includes formal and informal mentoring and at least twice yearly formal review of the Clinical Competency Committee’s performance summary with the program director.

Resident life and wellness

Residents enjoy a variety of experiences and hobbies in Pueblo and the surrounding community to promote wellness and work life balance.

For the Outdoorsy:

Lake Pueblo Reservoir

  • Kayak and paddle board rentals available
  • Boating/water sports/fishing
  • Camping and biking trails

Lake Isabel

  • 40 minutes southwest of Pueblo
  • Snow sledding/fishing/hiking/camping

For those who want unique experiences:

  • Royal Gorge Bridge
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park
  • Hanging Lake
  • Mesa Verde/Chimney Rock
  • Pikes Peak Cog Railway
  • Garden of the Gods

Due to the increase in physician burnout nationwide, the wellness program was created in 2017 to provide residents tools to prevent and address burnout both in residency and throughout their careers. The goals of the program are to create a culture of wellness, decrease burnout, promote resident engagement and improve faculty-resident mentoring. The wellness committee is made up of faculty and residents, and each year we set goals and adjust the program to meet our current needs.