Innovation curriculum

Our innovation curriculum is truly unique. We have a dedicated associate program director for innovation who has implemented an innovation curriculum for our residency since 2022, through the Inspire, Acquire, Apply method. This begins with monthly didactics for all residents, incorporated into our noon conference curriculum schedule. Residents will learn from inspiring physician-innovators, and also learn the basic components of innovation in medicine, such as artificial intelligence, patents, 3-D printing, and more. Interested residents can take this further, with individual mentorship from our identified innovation faculty, as well as presenting their ideas for engineering support and funding at various think tanks. This curriculum is truly one of a kind and is leading the way in the intersection of innovation and medical education. 

Mayo Clinic in Florida is home to the Innovation and Discovery building. We partner with our Innovation Exchange colleagues as well as our Chief Innovation Officer on the Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida.

Optional Innovation Track

Goals

This 24-month track during PGY-2 and PGY-3 years of Internal Medicine residency will prepare residents to become physician-innovators, equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive advancements in healthcare.

Learning objectives

1. Articulate and employ the fundamentals of the biodesign process, including identification and screening of clinical needs.
2. Understand how to test and validate concept solutions.
3. Acquire skills in product design and prototyping.
4. Apply a variety of ideation and design thinking methodologies.
5. Understand the regulatory environment for medical technologies.
6. Perform market and stakeholder analyses and learn business model fundamentals.
7. Explore startup methodologies, fundamentals of fundraising and develop skills in pitch presentations.
8. Undertake an innovative project to apply this knowledge and gain practical experience through partnerships with Mayo Clinic strategic alliances.

Outcome

Upon successful completion of the Innovation Track, residents will be equipped with an in-depth experience in innovation and entrepreneurship processes and will receive a Certificate of Distinction in Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Mayo Clinic in Florida Department of Medicine Chair and Chief Innovation Officer.

Core components and key experiences

• Apply for and complete MCSGME Innovation and Entrepreneurship education offerings
• Standing role with Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange
• Attending monthly internal medicine innovation curriculum
• Engagement with Mayo Clinic strategic alliances
• Participation in local and national think tanks

Mentorship

• Mayo Clinic innovation faculty mentors
• External mentors through strategic alliances

Opportunities

• Selected residents are given a standing role in the Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange, where they have direct mentorship in innovation and entrepreneurship, and will have a hands-on experience in engaging in real-world projects, case studies, start-ups and gain expertise in needs assessment and taking ideas into implementation along with networking opportunities.
• Residents will also have opportunities to evaluate their own ideas; file a disclosure and possibly a patent; attend innovation conferences; and be involved in a capstone innovation project.

Eligibility

Application to the Innovation Track is open to all rising PGY-2 or higher Mayo Clinic in Florida Internal Medicine residents in good standing in our program.

General requirements

• Residents must regularly attend residency conferences and participate in the innovation curriculum.
• Residents should meet with their innovation mentor frequently and on a regular basis, with the cadence to be set by the resident and mentor partnership.
• Present findings/projects to Mayo leadership and share knowledge with other trainees.
• Develop and implement an innovation project and/or submit a patent.
• Present at national conferences, publish in academic peer-reviewed journals.
• Residents must maintain good standing within the program throughout the Innovation Track. They must comply with work hour policies, regular conference attendance requirements, and continue to progress academically and clinically, achieving expected milestone progression.

Structure

Schedule

• Selected residents will have dedicated time each month during outpatient and /or elective rotations for working on innovation projects and contributing to their role with the innovation exchange.
• Residents in this program should allocate four weeks of elective time each year to research, focusing on fulfilling pathway requirements and needs to advance their innovation project.

Application process

• Internal Medicine residents at Mayo Clinic in Florida may apply for the Innovation Track during the spring of PGY-1 year, to begin July of PGY-2 year.
• Provide a personal statement of interest that highlights:
  • Motivations for choosing the innovation track
  • Area of interest within innovation
  • Prior relevant experience
  • Career goals
• Provide a statement of support from the program director confirming ability to meaningfully participate in this track without adversely affecting regular clinical training.