Message from the Program Director

Stephen J. Knohl, MD
Program Director
Vice Chair for Education

Welcome to SUNY Upstate Medical Universitys Internal Medicine Residency Training Program.

By way of introduction, I would like to share with you a story about a twenty-one year-old Southern Californian who left his family and friends in 1993 to come to medical school at what is now known as Upstate Medical University. At the time knowing this east coast excursion was only a 4-year commitment and that he would undoubtedly return home to California for residency training in Internal Medicine, he never imagined in his wildest dreams that he would rank, and, subsequently, match at the #1 program on his list—Upstate Medical University.

Why did this Californian rank Upstate #1?

• Outstanding clinical training
• Excellent teaching faculty
• Opportunities to participate in research activities
• Dedicated and supportive Program Director and Chair of Medicine
• Fantastic fellowship/job placement
• Diverse training opportunities in geographic proximity to one another
• A metropolitan area with advantages of big-city/small-town living

Did he make the right choice? He certainly thought so as he subsequently stayed on for Chief Residency and then was fortunate enough to complete a Nephrology Fellowship at Upstate. But he ultimately returned to the West Coast, right? Nope. He joined as faculty and Associate Program Director in 2003 and has been serving as Residency Program Director since 2008.

I share this story because it highlights, in my opinion, the profound effect the educational experience at Upstate can have on ones life. It certainly did mine.

I truly believe the program is better now than when I trained. We have a growing Academic Hospitalist program with outstanding subspecialty support in all areas of Internal Medicine, including Dermatology. We have bi-weekly Morning Report sessions with the Department of Emergency Medicine so that presented cases can be discussed from two viewpoints. We have simulation procedure and code training as well as a standardized patient program that fosters development in professionalism and interpersonal skills. The list goes on and on, but perhaps most important to you is our Board success rate which now stands at 97% over the last 10 years.

Again, welcome to Upstate. I truly hope you enjoy touring our website and program. I am confident you will like what you see.