Transitional Year Internship Program | Graduate Medical Education | Broward Health

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Welcome from the Program Director

Danish Sheikh, DO

Dear Residency Candidate,

Welcome to the Broward Health Transitional Year Residency Program!

We are committed to providing a world-class residency education in a supportive, compassionate environment. Broward Health is a nationally recognized healthcare system that has been delivering high-quality care to the South Florida community for over 85 years. Our network includes four major hospitals and more than 30 healthcare facilities.

As a resident, you will receive personalized training and mentorship designed to help you reach your full potential as you prepare for advanced training in your chosen specialty.

Our program offers exceptional educational experiences across a wide range of disciplines. Under the close supervision of experienced faculty, resident physicians play an integral role in the care of both adult and pediatric patients.

We recognize that the Transitional Year is a brief but critical time to build a strong foundation in clinical medicine. Our curriculum is designed to provide comprehensive training in essential medical skills, while also encouraging scholarly activity. Residents are supported by faculty who are actively involved in research and academic development, and many of our teams regularly present at national conferences.

No matter which specialty you choose, the Broward Health Transitional Year Residency Program will equip you with the tools and experience needed to thrive in your medical career.

Thank you for choosing Broward Health. We look forward to supporting you on your journey.

Sincerely,
Danish Sheikh, DO
Program Director, Transitional Year Residency, Broward Health North

Director: Danish Sheikh, DO

Coordinator: Sheila Torres Irizarry

Contact Us:
954-876-2588
[email protected]

Training Blocks & Sites:

About the Program

The Transitional Year Internship Program at Broward Health North is committed to advancing the philosophy and practice of medicine through excellence in education, clinical service, research, and lifelong learning. Our mission is to equip trainees with the knowledge, clinical skills, and ethical foundation needed to practice at the highest level—whether in community or academic settings—while upholding the core values of the medical profession.

The program's primary goal is to provide a comprehensive, well-rounded educational experience across various clinical disciplines, ensuring that residents are fully prepared to succeed in their chosen specialty.

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Program Highlights

Our Transitional Year Internship Program offers a dynamic and well-rounded training experience designed to lay a strong foundation for future specialization.
Key highlights of the program include:

Engaging and comprehensive didactic curriculum
Large, diverse patient population offering broad clinical exposure
Extensive experience with a wide range of medical pathologies
Strong programmatic support for achieving individual career goals
Collaborative, inclusive, and supportive work environment
Dedicated faculty and resident mentorship program to guide you in achieving your career goals
Extensive scholarly activity opportunities, including oral and poster presentations at state and national conferences, and publications in peer-reviewed journals
Off-site access to electronic journals and the electronic medical record system
A collegial and supportive training environment with approachable attendings, engaged program leadership, and a team of residents who truly embrace the philosophy of working hard and playing hard

Who We Are:

Large, multi-hospital system
4 hospitals - 1,529 licensed beds
1,900 credentialed physicians on staff
Engaging and comprehensive didactic curriculum
Safety net provider for the northern 2/3 of Broward County, covering 275 square miles
20+ established residency and fellowship training programs accredited by ACGME
Diverse and experienced faculty and staff

Competitive Benefits Package Includes:

Wellness center/gym membership
Daily meal stipend
Access to Counseling/Mental Health Services

Core Curriculum

View Training Blocks & Sites

PGY-1 Overview:

The first year of residency (PGY-1) is carefully designed to establish a strong foundation in patient care through a structured and diverse set of clinical rotations. This year focuses on developing essential clinical skills that will prepare residents for advanced training in their chosen specialties.

Training Highlights:

5 blocks on Inpatient Medicine Wards, offering hands-on experience managing various medical conditions.
2.5 blocks of Elective Time, allowing residents to explore personal interests or tailor training toward their future specialty.
1 block in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) to build strong critical care skills.
1 block of Emergency Medicine, focusing on acute care and rapid decision-making.
2 weeks of a Quality Improvement rotation, including exposure to Risk Management, Claims, Quality Assurance, and Infection Control.
2 weeks in Gastroenterology, focusing on diagnosing and managing digestive system disorders.
2 weeks in Nephrology, with an emphasis on renal disease and electrolyte management.
1 block of a Family Medicine Ambulatory rotation, developing skills in outpatient care and continuity of care.

This comprehensive, well-rounded curriculum ensures that residents gain a broad and solid clinical foundation, equipping them with the core competencies needed for success throughout the remainder of their residency and beyond.

Inpatient Ward Rotation

The general medical ward rotation is one of the most intensive and rewarding learning experiences for residents. It focuses on the direct care of hospitalized patients, which is essential for developing a resident’s clinical skills. During this rotation, residents are introduced to a wide range of diseases and conditions commonly seen in general internal medicine.

In addition to routine cases, this rotation offers a unique opportunity to explore the complex relationship between health and social factors, including substance abuse, co-morbid medical and psychiatric illnesses, geriatrics, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and the healthcare needs of international and immigrant populations.

The inpatient service is structured around shared responsibility between house officers and attending staff. Interns (and acting interns) independently admit and manage patients, seeking guidance from residents and attending staff as needed. House officers are responsible for writing all orders. While attendings may not have ongoing relationships with all patients, they maintain legal responsibility for patient care.

Residents and attendings collaborate closely to provide the best medical care, create enriching learning opportunities, and maintain a collegial and supportive work environment.

Emergency Medicine

The basics of emergency medical decision-making are taught under the supervision of full-time emergency department faculty at Broward Health North. The resident, under the close supervision of the Emergency Department (ED) attending, evaluates both medical and surgical patients with critical and non-critical acute complaints.

Our faculty provides residents with decision-making support; they also demonstrate and instruct appropriate physical examination skills and assist residents in developing a broad differential diagnosis. The spectrum of disease treated in the ED includes medical, surgical, orthopedic, gynecological, and ophthalmologic specialties, as well as trauma. Activities include everything from suturing to ACLS protocols. The resident is expected to work from 7 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday, with time off for Noon Conference from 12:00 to 1:00 pm.

The focus for PGY1 emphasizes the importance of physical exams and history-taking, learning to prioritize, and presenting a concise differential diagnosis. The PGY1 learns the essentials of triaging ED patients.

Ambulatory Medicine Rotation

During this four-week rotation, residents work in an outpatient primary care setting alongside a family medicine or internal medicine physician. This experience is designed to help residents develop the skills necessary to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care in an ambulatory environment.

Residents gain exposure to a diverse patient population and refine their office-based clinical skills, including history taking, physical exams, diagnostic reasoning, and management of chronic and acute conditions. The rotation emphasizes patient education, health promotion, and disease prevention, providing a strong foundation for effective, long-term care in community or academic outpatient practices.

Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) Rotation

The MICU rotation provides residents with essential experience in the care of critically ill patients in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Residents manage a broad range of complex medical conditions, gaining valuable exposure to high-acuity cases that require advanced clinical decision-making and procedural skills.

This rotation emphasizes a multidisciplinary team approach, where residents work closely with critical care physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care.

The MICU experience strengthens residents’ understanding of hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator management, and acute interventions, preparing them for future roles in both inpatient and critical care settings.

Cardiology Rotation

The Cardiology rotation offers a broad introduction to the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases across both inpatient and outpatient settings. This rotation emphasizes the development of fundamental skills in cardiac history-taking, physical examination, and the use of key diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Gastroenterology Rotation

The Gastroenterology rotation provides residents with essential exposure to the diagnosis and management of digestive system disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This rotation focuses on helping residents build a solid foundation in recognizing and treating common gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatobiliary conditions frequently encountered in general medical practice.

Nephrology Rotation

The Nephrology rotation offers residents valuable exposure to the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of kidney-related conditions across inpatient, consultative, and outpatient settings. This rotation is designed to build a strong foundation in renal medicine, focusing on conditions commonly encountered in general internal medicine.

Quality Improvement Rotation

The Quality Improvement (QI) rotation provides Transitional Year residents with an essential introduction to the core principles of healthcare quality, patient safety, risk management, and infection control. This rotation is designed to build awareness of the systems and strategies used to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centered care within a hospital setting.

Applications

All Transitional Year Residency Program applications at Broward Health North are processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

We participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and do not accept applicants outside of the Match.

We strongly encourage applicants to rotate at our facility, either in internal medicine or a subspecialty, to gain valuable exposure to our program and environment.

Application Requirements

All applications must be submitted through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service), which is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and reviewed holistically. We do not accept applications via fax, email, or postal services.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Dean’s Letter (MSPE)
ERAS Common Application Form
Medical School Transcripts
Personal Statement
Recent Photograph
A minimum of three (3) Letters of Recommendation (Department letter is optional)
USMLE Transcripts and/or COMLEX Transcripts (Step 1 and Step 2 must be passed)

Important Notes:

USMLE Step 1 is required before interview invitations are extended.
USMLE Step 2 CK must be passed for ranking consideration.

International Applicants

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) must meet the following requirements:

In addition to the application requirements listed previously, International Medical Graduates (IMGs) must meet the following criteria:

Graduated from medical school within the last 5 years
Passed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2
USMLE Step 3 is not required to apply
Eligible for an ECFMG Certificate:
- We require an ECFMG certificate on file for every IMG intern who matches with our program.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants:

Eligibility for Florida Medical Training Licensure
Eligibility for J1 visa sponsorship

Application and Interview Process

Only applications submitted through ERAS will be accepted (see application requirements above).
We recommend submitting your application as early as possible, as interview slots fill quickly.
Invitations to interview will be sent via email through ERAS.
All interviews will be conducted virtually.
Only applicants with an interview appointment will be considered for an interview.

Broward Health North Program

Program ID: 9991100003 (16 Positions Per Program Year; 16 Total)

NRMP #: 1892999P1

We strongly encourage applicants interested in transitional year training program to apply and learn more about the unique features of our program through the interview process. Our Program offers outstanding clinical training and academic opportunities.

Meet Our Faculty and Interns

Our program is guided by experienced faculty who are passionate about teaching and committed to resident success. Together with our diverse and dedicated interns, they foster a collaborative and supportive learning environment.

Program Faculty Current Interns

Program Leadership

Danish Sheikh, DO - Program Director

Dr. Danish Sheikh is double board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. He currently serves as the Program Director of the Transitional Year Residency Program at Broward Health North. In addition, he is a core faculty member for both the Internal Medicine Residency at Broward Health North and the Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship at Broward Health Medical Center.

Dr. Sheikh earned his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Largo Medical Center, serving as chief resident, followed by a Cardiology fellowship at Broward Health Medical Center, where he served as Chief Fellow.

Faraaz Mushtaq, DO - Associate Program Director

Dr. Faraaz Mushtaq earned his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Palmetto General Hospital.

He currently serves as the Associate Program Director of the Transitional Year Residency Program at Broward Health North. In addition, Dr. Mushtaq is a core faculty member for the Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship at Broward Health Medical Center and a faculty member for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Broward Health North.

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