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Residency Program

MCW Internal Medicine Residency Health Policy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement (PACE) Track

Seven people standing inside a building

The PACE Track is a 2.5-year longitudinal program for Internal Medicine residents who want to extend their impact beyond direct patient care by learning how to influence policy and partner with communities.

As a PACE Track member, you will gain a broad understanding of how social, economic, and environmental factors shape health outcomes while also developing skills to drive change through advocacy and community engagement. Residents join in January of PGY1 or early PGY2. This track aims to equip you with the skills needed to effectively advocate for your patients and care for your community, and to apply these skills in any career path you choose.

PACE Track Key Features

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Self-Paced Modules

As a PACE track resident, you will have access to an online portal featuring curated modules on foundational topics in health policy, social determinants of health, advocacy, and community engagement.

In-Person Workshops

You will join for approximately six workshops each year, usually at a faculty or peer’s home. These sessions vary and may include expert-led didactics, journal-club discussions, and hands-on exercises teaching practical skills such as op-ed writing, drafting advocacy letters, or planning community partnerships.

Experiential Learning

You will engage in a variety of hands-on experiences that put advocacy and community engagement into practice. Opportunities include a legislative visit to meet state policymakers and advocate on topics of your choosing, writing op-eds or other advocacy pieces with faculty support, and partnering with community groups. These real-world activities reinforce your learning, build your network, and allow you to apply your skills outside the hospital setting.

Mentorship

You will be paired with a faculty mentor whose career reflects a commitment to health policy, advocacy, and/or community engagement. This longitudinal mentorship ensures you receive personalized guidance as you advance through the track.

Scholarship

Track members are expected to complete a scholarly project related to policy, advocacy, or community engagement, tailored to their own interests.

PACE Elective Block

As a PGY2 or 3, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with the track directors to design a two- or four-week elective block that combines unique clinical rotations in underserved settings and dedicated time for your scholarly project or hands-on advocacy/community engagement work.

Contact Us

Please reach out to us if you have any questions or need additional information.

Tony Davis-Maxwell, MD
tdavismaxwell@mcw.edu

 

Laura Hawks, MD, MPH
lhawks@mcw.edu

 

Rachel Bernard, MD, MPH
rbernard@mcw.edu

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