The Ph.D. to M.D. program: the seven-year mark

The Ph.D. to M.D. Program, a two-year, accelerated medical curriculum for Ph.D. scientists, has been in operation at the University of Miami for over seven years. Two hundred and nine students from a broad range of scientific disciplines have been admitted, and attrition has been remarkably low (less than 1 per cent). One hundred and thirty-five of the entering candidates (65 per cent) were nonbiologists, but their achievements in the curriculum were virtually equivalent to those of their biologically oriented peers. All graduates have commenced house-staff training, the vast majority at university or university-affiliated hospitals. Of the 46 graduates who have completed some aspect of postgraduate training, 22 are in private practice, 20 are in teaching and research positions and four are scientific administrators in industry. The record indicates that through intensive medical education, the program is able to bring a group of scientists with unusual talents to the theory and practice of medicine.