Frequently Asked Questions
How many resident positions are there?
We have 5 available Internal Medicine positions for the upcoming academic year.
Is the program unopposed?
No. Suburban has residencies in Family Medicine and Preliminary Medicine.
Does your program offer positions outside of the Match?
No. Positions are only offered through the NRMP Match Program.
Should one of the three required letters of recommendation be submitted by the Chairman of Medicine?
Chair’s letter is not required but is acceptable. We prefer that your recommendations be submitted by physicians who are well acquainted with you and your medical education experiences, and who can provide knowledgeable references for you.
Must I wait until all documents are available before submitting my application to your program through ERAS?
Applications often arrive from ERAS incomplete, but the Committee waits until applications are complete before reviewing them. DO NOT EXPECT an immediate response after submitting your application. It may not be reviewed until a later date. You will be contacted if the committee wishes to schedule an interview.
What does interview day look like?
Since COVID, the NRMP has strongly encouraged programs to interview via virtual platforms. Prior to COVID, interview days consisted of breakfast / resident meeting, presentation regarding program specifics (i.e., salary, benefits, etc.), then formal interviews with the program director and/or associated faculty and residents.
What are the intern/resident call responsibilities?
Intern year ranges from q4-q5 short call and long call handling admissions, GMF/Telemetry floor calls. Short call is from 5pm to 8pm and long call is from 5pm to 10pm. Second- and third-year residents take call via a night block system. Senior residents take weekend 24-hour call.
How much vacation will I have?
During the Intern year, interns are granted three work weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) that must be taken during certain designated rotations. Second- and third-year residents are granted four work weeks of PTO during certain designated rotations.
Are residents permitted to complete an outside elective?
Yes! Residents are permitted to complete an outside elective with approvals from the Program Director and Designated Institutional Official.
Are there opportunities for teaching?
Yes! Suburban Community Hospital is a Clinical Core Campus for the medical students of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and is a core rotation site for Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) as well as other osteopathic medical schools. You will have the opportunity to work with and teach these students as they complete their rotations with us.
Where have recent graduates gone onto practice?
We are very proud of our graduates’ accomplishments. We have had several graduates accept fellowship positions in infectious disease, nephrology, geriatrics, palliative care, and critical care. We have also had several graduates take hospitalist positions in the area.
Is moonlighting allowed?
Yes. Moonlighting is allowed in your 2nd year of residency training with prior approval from the Program Director and Designated Institutional Official.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, contact:
Katrina Plachta
Program Coordinator
Suburban Community Hospital
2701 Dekalb Pike, Suite 302
Norristown, PA 19401
610-278-2003