Frequently Asked Questions

How often are interns on call?

This depends on the rotation.  On the Ward rotation, interns have overnight call only on weekends.  On the Service rotation, interns are on call overnight every fourth or fifth night.  During the Critical Care rotation, residents work 12-hour shifts.  Interns have no call during their electives, ambu-block or day float rotation.

How big is your program?

We have 13 categorical residents per postgraduate year, six preliminary residents and two PGY-4 Chief Residents per year.  Other residency programs which rotate through our services are: Transitional Year, Emergency Medicine, Podiatry and Dental.

How much unit time do residents do?

Our unit experience is a highly-rated one by our residents; many wish they could spend more time there.  The Residency Review Committee (RRC) limits the amount of unit time categorical Internal Medicine residents can do in the three year training program to 26 weeks, and we comply well within that limit. Learn about our Preliminary interns.

What is your continuity clinic like?

Our Family Health Center is operated like a regular private practice. Residents have their continuity sessions one-half day per week during all rotations except Critical Care and Night Float.  Sometimes residents "swing" to another day in the week when they are post-call.

You are a community hospital: what is your patient population like?

As a small city in the New York metropolitan region our patients come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and from around the world, often bringing the diseases found in their home countries to our hospital.  As a tertiary referral and level one trauma center, our region expands past 1,200 square miles.  Patients come with the diseases of excess (diabetes, heart disease, etc) and access -- or lack of it.  Ask about our "cool cases" list on your interview day.

How do you comply with the Duty Hours requirements?

Duty hours are serious business in our program.  The Chief Resident and Directors make sure post call residents have left the premises. In fact, the residents themselves have come up with solutions to make sure we comply with this important regulation.

Is it easy to talk with the Program Director?

The doors are always open to speak with Donna Astiz, MD, Program Director and Associate Program Directors, Jacqueline Darcey, MD and David Kuo, MD, FACP - as well as all our other faculty members.  No appointment is necessary -- ever.

How do residents' voices get heard?

There are a variety of forums for residents to express their opinions.  In addition to contacting the Program Directors or faculty individually, residents can voice concerns to their representatives on the Resident/Faculty Education Committee.  Each postgraduate year elects three members to participate for the year, and the group meets at least monthly.  Many of the program changes that occur are based on resident feedback and subsequent assessment and planning of the Education Committee. Other opinion forums include: Atlantic Health Residents Council; the quarterly Internal Medicine resident group meetings, led by the Chief Residents; and participation in the plentiful committees within the hospital. The Atlantic Health Graduate Medical Education Office is also available to hear residents' concerns and needs.

Is there a research requirement?

Yes.  We understand not everyone wants to do clinical research, so we have tried to optimize our research/scholarly activity requirements to achieve multiple goals.

Does your hospital have ancillary services?

We have an enormous support staff at Morristown Memorial Hospital:

• 24-hour phlebotomy
• Nurses do IV lines
• Transport service for patients, medications, labs
• 24-hour radiology services
• Digital radiology available from all hospital computers
• Social work services assigned to each floor
• Discharge planning
• Wound care nurses
• 24-hour pharmaceutical support
• Outstanding nursing staff
• Nutritional/dietary services
• 24/7 translator services
• Internet access on all hospital computers
• PDA patient data retrieval system
• 24/7 medical library

What medical school affiliations do you have?

Atlantic Health is the primary academic and clinical affiliate in New Jersey of Mount Sinai School of Medicine and The Mount Sinai Hospital. We also hold an affiliations with Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and St. George University School of Medicine.