Want to teach medicine? Practice where opportunities to provide medical training abound

Medical training is a valuable part of the physician experience at Permanente Medical Groups

If you wish to teach medicine and train the next generation of doctors, join a Permanente Medical Group. Educating medical learners is a fundamental experience here — and a key to our success.

It’s also part of our mission to improve health care in our communities, as well as a source of satisfaction and joy for many of our physicians. If you aspire to guide the development of future clinicians, consider a career as a Permanente physician.

Kaiser Permanente provides some of the most sought-after medical education programs in the country. In 2021, Permanente physicians taught and trained more than 6,000 fellows, residents, and medical students from our own residency and fellowship training programs as well as from institutions such as Stanford University, UC San Francisco, UC Davis, UCLA, Emory University, Oregon Health & Science University, and University of Southern California.

Find joy in teaching medicine and physician education

“Our doctors thrive when they’re teaching,” says Ted O’Connell, MD, FAFP. He serves as the director of Medical Education for Kaiser Permanente in Northern California, overseeing pathway programs, medical student rotations, residency and fellowship programs, and continuing medical education for The Permanente Medical Group.

“Teaching medicine helps keep our physicians current and is a driver of professional satisfaction,” Dr. O’Connell says. “Contributing to the professional development of the next generation of physicians, providing mentorship, and developing these relationships helps our physicians flourish in their practices.”

New physicians require in-depth attention from expert mentors to build a solid foundation in our unique approach to integrated care delivery and value-based care. That’s why we give our mentors the infrastructure, support, and time to provide new physicians with the hands-on training and education they need.

Learners receive an in-depth medical education at Permanente Medical Groups

This deep focus on providing top-tier physician education is paying off. Medical students, residents, and fellows get hands-on experience practicing medicine, interacting with patients, and coordinating with a care team and other specialists.

Just as importantly, learners begin to experience the feeling of being valued for their contributions. This strengthens their sense of purpose and ability as they pursue the call to care.

“One of the main reasons I came to Kaiser Permanente was to have a unique learning experience,” says Daniel Tadeo, MD. “There has certainly been no shortage of that.”

Watch Dr. Tadeo’s entire residency journey.

Taking medical training and teaching further with a new kind of medical school

In 2020, the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine opened in Pasadena, California. Our medical students experience real-world clinical scenarios, discover leading-edge technologies, and embrace evolving best practices in medical education. They also receive clinical training that starts in their first year. This modern medical training reflects the physician-led, patient-centered care embodied by Permanente Medicine.

“I feel like I can come in and make mistakes,” said Kelly Shriver, a graduate who spoke of her educational experience at the School of Medicine in 2022. “It feels like a safe space to do that. And that is a real gift of this program.”

Our small-group, case-based medical curriculum also fosters understanding of the importance of health care equity. The faculty and staff provide a supportive environment that helps develop wellness skills that help prevent burnout. Future physicians become committed to prevention, fluent in evidence-based care, and adept at addressing the needs of underserved communities.

Teach medicine in an exceptional classroom

Our extensive graduate medical education curricula and rotations are among the most respected and sought after in the nation.

Residents and fellows find a wide range of teaching and learning opportunities in primary and specialty care. Our supportive settings offer amazing opportunities to practice medicine and teach others in a collaborative and rewarding environment.

If you’re a medical professional who values sharing their knowledge and skill with others, a Permanente Medical Group is the place to practice.