Program Overview

Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

The Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons is a world leader in medical education, research, and patient care.

About Us

• Facts & Statistics
• Faculty Honors & Awards
• Meet P. Roy Vagelos, MD ’54 and Diana Vagelos
• Strategic Planning
• Dean's Lecture Series
• Explore VP&S
• VP&S History
• 2025 State of the School
• Columbia Medicine Magazine
• VP&S Annual Report

Education

• Academic Programs
  • MD Program
  • MD Dual Degrees and Special Programs
  • Vagelos Institute's Biomedical Research Education PhD Programs
  • Program in Genetic Counseling
  • Programs in Human Nutrition
  • Programs in Occupational Therapy
  • Programs in Physical Therapy
  • Additional Master's Degree Programs
  • Educational Opportunities
• Residencies, Fellowships, and Training
• Student Resources

MD Program

The MD program at Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons is designed to produce physicians with compassion, a sense of self, and true grit in all medical pursuits.

Research

• Office for Research
• Areas of Research
• Research Faculty
• Honors and Awards
• For Researchers
  • Core and Shared Facilities
  • Research Resources
  • Funding and Support
  • Research IT Resources
  • Supporting Research Continuity

Patient Care

• Departments & Centers
  • Affiliated Hospitals and Institutions
  • Basic Science Departments
  • Centers and Institutes
  • Clinical Departments and Divisions
  • Faculty Initiatives

Internal Medicine Residency Program

• About Us
• Meet the Residents
• Clinical Training
• Educational Innovation
• Professional Pathways
• Mentorship
• Research Opportunities
• Life at Columbia
  • Affinity Groups
  • Being a Resident at Columbia
  • The Pod System
  • Resident Well-being
  • Commitment to Continuous Improvement
  • Living in New York City

The Pod System

The Pod System is a unique and beloved part of the Internal Medicine Residency Program. Residents are grouped into “pods” of 4 and rotate through the entirety of each year together, forming a bond that can only be forged through intense common experiences. The pod system fosters a unique level of support, camaraderie, and friendship that is vital in training. Pods also form a core part of the residency’s social network, with pod-mates regularly arranging post-work get-togethers and residency-wide happy hours. The experience of going through such a formative time of professional life together forges life-long bonds.