Scholarship & Research

Scholarship is integral to robust medical education. Learning how to ask and answer questions, test hypotheses, and think critically is the hallmark of a great researcher…but it is also what makes a great bedside doctor and expert clinical reasoner. We value discovery and scholarship within the program by supporting our residents with funding ($2,500/resident during their training), statistical and research support from the program, as well as time while they explore how scholarship will fit into their careers.As part of their training, CU IMRP residents participate in a variety of academic exercises to help lay the foundation for their future as scholars and clinical experts. All residents must complete a scholarly work during the second and third year of training.  They accomplish this because of the dedicated time the program protects during clinic blocks as well as due to the excellent mentoring you’ll find from day one. Our residents achieve significant success in these activities, including awards at local, state, and national meetings. Since 2019 residents have presented research at numerous state and national conferences, including:

• Colorado & National American College of Physicians Meeting
• American Thoracic Society International Conference
• American Heart Association
• American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting
• Society of Hospital Medicine Annual Conference
• American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting
• Diagnostic Error in Medicine Annual International Conference

Research Opportunities 

he Internal Medicine Residency Training Program is invested in promoting and cultivating research opportunities for those residents who are seeking research experience to enhance a future academic career, fellowship candidacy, or both. Our approach combines protected half days longitudinally throughout your training with ample elective time, of which 2 months can be used for research rotations. We also have multiple mechanisms to meet potential research mentors, faculty in each subspecialty whose job it is to connect you to mentors and projects in that specialty, and departmental level research guidance and mentorship from the Associate Program Director for Subspecialty Training, Dr. Lisa Davis. Additionally, the Department of Medicine provides funds to help offset the cost of travel to regional or national meetings for residents who submit original research abstracts.

The Department of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine has a strong track record of excellence in biomedical research. Anschutz Medical Campus researchers, the bulk of whom work for the School of Medicine, attracted $777.8 million and the Department of Medicine obtained $175.9 million in research grant funding for FY 2023-2022. We are currently ranked #23 in the Blue Ridge rankings. Our diversity is our strength, as the Department of Medicine faculty are based at multiple hospitals and campuses in our system, providing unique research opportunities across a variety of topics and patient populations. Finally, collaboration among different departments within the School of Medicine and across the University of Colorado to increase opportunities for all trainees and faculty.

Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) R38 Award

Residents also are provided the opportunity to apply for the Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) R38 Award. This is a prestigious honor the University of Colorado School of Medicine was awarded and is funded by the NIH. The StARR program provides dedicated time during residency for a trainee entering their second or third year of training to complete a comprehensive, mentored research experience. This valuable experience is a unique and exciting opportunity for residents at the University of Colorado.