Prestigious grant to grow critical support and resources for research-minded residents

In the United States, the medical field faces a growing shortage of physician and surgeon-scientists. That is why the Office of Physician-Scientist Education and Training in The Ohio State University College of Medicine proactively created the Physician Scientist Development Program (PSDP), to expand, diversify and strengthen the physician-scientist workforce by offering research training to interested residents in all departments in the college.

Ginny Bumgardner, MD, PhD, FACS, professor of Surgery and associate dean for Physician-Scientist Education and Training, recently secured the R38 StARR (Stimulating Access to Research During Residency) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), titled The Ohio State University Research in Residency Physician Scientist Initiative. Dr. Bumgardner says the grant will support the training of eligible residents in the PSDP to conduct research in a variety of subspecialties, while connecting them to well-established postdoctoral research mentors and the physician-scientist community at Ohio State.

“This intensive preparation will help residents gain individualized, impactful scientific training and mentorship,” Dr. Bumgardner says. “And prepare them for a tenure track physician-scientist research career.”

Robert Baiocchi, MD, PhD, professor of Internal Medicine and faculty program director for the PSDP, conducts research in the areas of immunology, viral oncology and experimental therapeutics for lymphomas. He is co-investigator on the R38 and has extensive experience providing mentorship to physician-scientists.

“This grant will connect researchers with the growing physician-scientist community at Ohio State,” Dr. Baiocchi says. “And help them gain access to grant-writing workshops, and transition career development and pathway to independence awards.”

The PSDP has two main tracks – one focusing on residents with minimal research experience and another on residents with advanced research backgrounds who have previously earned an MD/MS/MPH or MD/PhD.

Angela Butler, PSDP manager, says that while this new R38 is the first of its kind here at Ohio State, supporting an NIH-funded residency training program of this caliber is not. Butler explains that at Ohio State, the blueprint is established, and success is evidenced. She has worked alongside Dr. Bumgardner for more than a decade and, in that time, she has seen what it takes to successfully support learners and faculty in an NIH-funded training program.

“Drs. Bumgardner and Baiocchi were very thoughtful and intentional when outlining the goals of this grant,” Butler says. “They have expertly curated experienced research mentors and well-established curriculum that will arm the next generation of physician-scientists with the skills they need to be successful.”

Butler says this, coupled with Drs. Bumgardner and Baiocchi’s experience and passion for providing mentorship to physician-scientists at all levels, is certain to strengthen the physician-scientist workforce here at Ohio State. Ohio State is one of only seven institutions with an R38 grant awarded through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the Ohio State R38AI174264 training grant focuses on preparing residents to pursue research relevant to immune-mediated diseases, infectious diseases and immunotherapeutics.

Carol R. Bradford, MD, MS, FACS, dean of the College of Medicine, says this grant supports the college’s mission of expanding the support and education of the next generation of physician-scientists and leaders in health care.

“The work of physician-scientists drives innovation and plays a part in bringing new discoveries to patients’ bedsides,” Dr. Bradford says. “I am so grateful for the leadership of this entire team and know this grant will accelerate the translation of research into breakthrough health care solutions.”

The grant combines the service of many innovative leaders at the college, including the participating residency program directors and members of the Program Advisory Committee: 

• Mark Arnold, MD, clinical professor of Surgery and director of the General Surgery Residency Program
• Scott Holliday, MD, clinical associate professor of Internal Medicine and associate dean of Graduate Medical Education
• Chad Hoyle, MD, clinical associate professor of Neurology
• Gregory Pearson, MD, clinical associate professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Arwa Shana’ah, MD, clinical associate professor of Pathology and director of the Hematopathology division and Residency Program in Pathology
• David Wininger, MD, clinical professor of Internal Medicine and director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program 

Along with support from members of the Steering Committee: 

• Priya Dedhia, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Surgery and Master of Medical Science program director
• Dana McTigue, PhD, professor of Neuroscience and associate dean for Foundational Research
• Sakima Smith, MD, associate professor of Internal Medicine and vice chair for Diversity and Inclusion in the Department of Internal Medicine