Internal Medicine Los Angeles Medical Center - Research Track

Program Objective

The Research Track within the Internal Medicine Categorical Training Program seeks to enhance the practice of evidence-based medicine by developing physicians who have a dedication to research and process improvement. A background or strong interest in designing, executing, presenting, and interpreting impactful research is desirable. This is a 3-year program integrated into the internal medicine residency without additional years requirement. The Track helps residents with interest in pursuing a future in leadership, research, academia, and/or advancing to fellowship. The expectation through the course of their residency is that they become the academic leader within the residency program and serve as a research mentor to their peers by their senior year.

Program Description

The overall program is individualized based on the candidate’s level of experience. At the beginning of internship, participants will engage in an interactive curriculum which will familiarize them with research design and relevant epidemiological methods. They will be introduced to key leaders and research personnel at KPSC and KP School of Medicine to help them develop a collaborative mindset. Additionally, they will receive instruction and guidance on funding sources for their research and institutional review board approval. They will receive one on one teaching and guidance from KPSC researchers and regional research biostatistical personnel. With the assistance of dedicated mentors, participants will apply lessons learned in the initial curriculum by implementing and completing all these phases of study planning by the end of their intern year. The goal is for them to hatch and lead an independent research project that will be the basis for their research experience and real-world project-based learning throughout the duration of the program.

In the second year, participants will engage in data collection and analyses using Kaiser Permanente’s vast electronic health records under the guidance of a faculty mentor. They will have the opportunity to present preliminary findings at the Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center’s Research Week, which occurs at the end of the academic year. During this year, they will also participate in a longitudinal curriculum that allows participants to develop a deeper understanding in research methodology including biostatistical methods.

In the third year, participants will complete data analysis, prepare a manuscript of their findings for submission to a peer-reviewed journal, while having submitted abstracts on their research to national or regional conferences. The third-year curriculum will feature topics related to abstract, manuscript, poster, and oral presentations. Throughout the 3 years, monthly research sessions will be held on the first Thursday of each month. These meetings include didactics, project updates, and peer consultations which take place with the track director, faculty, and research track peers.

Commitment and Protected Time

Two two-week blocks during intern year will be dedicated to the research curriculum, during which participants will meet mentors, KPSC leadership, biostatisticians, and clinician-researchers to develop an original research project. 

Participants will have 2 weeks as protected research time to dedicate to their work during both their second and third years. In addition, monthly half-day protected time is secured for research meetings throughout the entire 3-year residency. There is a longitudinal curriculum consisting of writing and presentation workshops, research roundtables, and dedicated journal clubs. Participants will share their experience and expertise with other categorical residents. Participants will also be expected to be academic leaders in the residency and head journal clubs and assist with department quality and performance improvement projects  

Application Process

The Research Track will accommodate one participant per intern class. This position will be offered to a candidate who has demonstrated commitment to research during their undergraduate and/or medical education and is motivated to continue research throughout residency. 

Interested candidates may apply to this program through the National Residency Match Program (NRMP). If you have any questions or inquiries, please contact program manager at peggy.x.hung@kp.org or co-track director at CHENG-WEI.HUANG@kp.org

Where Our Graduates Are Now

Class of 2025: Hospital Medicine, UCLA Health
Class of 2024: Hospital Medicine, KP Orange County
Class of 2023: Mount Sinai Morningside Cardiology Fellowship
Class of 2022: Primary Care, KP Panorama City
Class of 2021: LAC+USC Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship; Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, KP LAMC
Class of 2020: UC Irvine Infectious Diseases Fellowship; Infectious Diseases, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center

Select publications by Research Track residents:
1. Kwong EK, Sahota AK, Yan R, Hung P, Sim JJ. Identifying Alcoholic Liver Disease Patients Using Electronic Health Records within an Integrated Health System. Translational Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Status: Accepted.

2. Newman MT, Bikhchandani M. A Fatal Case of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Mediated Myasthenia Gravis, Myositis, and Cardiomyopathy Overlap Syndrome in Urothelial Carcinoma. Cancer Rep (Hoboken). 2024;7(7):e2140. doi:10.1002/cnr2.2140

3. Namoos K, Huang CW, Liu IA, Lee JS, Yi DK, Sim JJ. Rates of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in CKD. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2024;19(7):911-913. doi:10.2215/CJN.0000000000000450

4. Kwok K, Kwong E, Binmoeller K. Re: A novel salvage method to recapture the maldeployed distal flange of a lumen-apposing metal stent. Endoscopy. 2023;55(11):1057. doi:10.1055/a-2121-2401

5. Yu AS, Pak KJ, Zhou H, et al. All-Cause and Cardiovascular-Related Mortality in CKD Patients With and Without Heart Failure: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Kidney Med. 2023;5(5):100624. Published 2023 Mar 9. doi:10.1016/j.xkme.2023.100624

6. Kwong E, Jones K, Park S, Kwok K. Successful Nonoperative Management of a Sigmoid Colon Perforation Caused by a Migrated Biliary Stent. ACG Case Rep J. 2023;10(1):e00972. Published 2023 Jan 26. doi:10.14309/crj.0000000000000972

7. Lau C, Liang B, Hovsepyan O, Shreves T, Wei K. Scoping review: The state of research on cryptogenic organizing pneumonia therapeutics. Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2022;77:102175. doi:10.1016/j.pupt.2022.102175

8. Kim BJ, Huang CW, Chung J, et al. Real-world use patterns of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (sacubitril/valsartan) among patients with heart failure within a large integrated health system. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2022;28(10):1173-1179. doi:10.18553/jmcp.2022.28.10.1173

9. Liang B, Yang ST, Wei KK, et al. Statin Use and Mortality among Patients Hospitalized with Sepsis: A Retrospective Cohort Study within Southern California, 2008-2018. Crit Care Res Pract. 2022;2022:7127531. Published 2022 May 6. doi:10.1155/2022/7127531

10. Huang CW, Yu AS, Song H, et al. Association Between Dexamethasone Treatment After Hospital Discharge for Patients With COVID-19 Infection and Rates of Hospital Readmission and Mortality [published correction appears in JAMA Netw Open. 2022 May 2;5(5):e2216873. doi:
10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.16873]. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e221455. Published 2022 Mar 1. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.1455

11. Yu AS, Liang B, Yang ST, Kim BJ, Huang CW, Sim JJ. Statin use and survival among ESKD patients hospitalized with sepsis. Clin Kidney J. 2021;14(6):1710-1712. Published 2021 Jan 11. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfab001

12. Costales-Cantrell JK, Chung J, Nomura JH, Ironside KR, Salama PW, Sim JJ. Antibiotic practice patterns with procalcitonin levels in patients with acute lower respiratory tract infection. Am J Manag Care. 2022;28(2):e35-e41. Published 2022 Feb 1. doi:10.37765/ajmc.2022.88825

13. Costales-Cantrell JK, Dong EY, Wu BU, Nomura JH. Syphilitic Proctitis Presenting as a Rectal Mass: a Case Report and Review of the Literature. J Gen Intern Med. 2021;36(4):1098-1101. doi:10.1007/s11606-020-06414-9

14. Lor M, Cheng M, Liang B, Cheng CE. TEMPI Syndrome With Progressive Telangiectasias Associated With Pulmonary Deterioration. JAMA Dermatol. 2020;156(12):1379-1380. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.2668