Preventive Medicine Residency
Welcome from the Program Director
Welcome to the Boston University Medical Center Preventive Medicine Residency. Our mission is to train highly motivated primary care physicians to serve as educators, investigators, and public health practitioners with a focus on topics relevant to medically under-served communities. We have an exciting mix of educational curricular choices in epidemiology and health services research, theoretical and practical training in medical education, and experiential learning opportunities in public health. Our program will give you tools for a successful career in academic medicine.
The Preventive Medicine Residency aims to:
- Train a pipeline of primary care physicians in population-based research, public health practice and medical education who lead system-level changes to prevent disease and improve health across diverse populations.
- Provide residents with personalized training and professional development through intensive faculty mentorship and a Master of Science degree from Boston University School of Public Health, nationally recognized for scholarship on the social determinants of health.
- Advance skills in patient care and knowledge of clinical preventive medicine through targeted clinical rotations at Boston Medical Center, New England’s largest safety-net hospital, Edith Nourse Rogers Veterans’ Administration hospital, and selected community partners.
- Advance skills in public health practice through practicum rotations at city, state and federal public health agencies.
One trainee slot per year is dedicated to the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Track. Interested applicants are invited to inquire about details of additional application materials.
Highlights of this track include:
- Pursue cancer prevention focused research or educational project collaborating with expert mentors
- Complete a school of public health course in cancer epidemiology or related topic
- Participate in clinical experiences related to cancer prevention (e.g. breast health, skin cancer, nutrition)
- Participate in prevention didactic series that includes clinical cancer prevention topics
- Gain experience in the non-profit public health sector working with the ACS New England office
- Gain experience with legislative advocacy for cancer prevention related bills at the Massachusetts State House
- Receive funding to attend a national meeting in preventive medicine
Past cancer related projects that trainees have completed include:
- Analysis of National Health Interview Survey data examining disparities in colon cancer screening among obese adults
- Evaluation of patient navigation programs for abnormal cervical and breast cancer screening
- Evaluation of hepatitis-B and HPV vaccination rates among recent refugees
- Analysis of state cancer registry data for racial disparities in treatment of early stage breast cancer and prostate cancer
As you explore this website, I hope you gain an understanding of the depth and breadth of research, educational and clinical opportunities in our program. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Pablo Buitron de la Vega, MD, MS, Program Director
