This page provides onboarding and orientation information for residents and fellows (trainees) currently in an active U.S. based training program who plan to rotate at MSK during their residency/fellowship for a required rotation or clinical elective. Trainees who are scheduled for or who would like to engage in a clinical rotation at MSK should begin by contacting the departmental GME program coordinator and/or program director associated with the training program. Contact information can be found on the individual department’s education and training webpage or by accessing the Fellowship and Residency program listings.
Required Information for all Clinical Rotations at MSK
Appointment to the Graduate Staff:
All trainees rotating to MSK for any clinical experience (i.e. required or elective rotations or providing call or consultation coverage assignments to MSK) must be formally appointed to MSK as a member of the graduate staff. Trainees coming to MSK for additional years in a multi-year program must be re-appointed each academic year.
Program Letter of Agreement:
In addition to an appointment and credentialing processes, a Program Letter of Agreement (PLA) must be executed between MSK and any institution sending trainees to MSK for a rotation. PLAs are mandatory for all trainees rotating at MSK.
For scheduled rotations (required or elective) or on-call/consultation coverage assignments, PLAs are typically already in place and will be verified by GME program coordinators.
For new clinical elective rotations without a PLA on file, trainees should coordinate with their home institution’s GME program coordinator and begin planning their rotation a minimum of six months in advance of their preferred start date to provide ample time for both institutions to review the terms of the PLA. The trainee’s home institution GME program coordinator will work directly with the MSK GME program coordinator. The MSK GME program coordinator will provide an MSK PLA template to be used for all in-rotations. On rare occasions, the terms of the PLA may not be agreed upon by both institutions, in which case the elective rotation will not be approved.
Under no circumstances should the prospective rotating trainee contact MSK Legal Counsel’s Office to discuss or inquire about the status of a PLA.
What to Know about Rotations at MSK
The departmental MSK GME program coordinator will send you details about where to report on your first day.
You will be sent a link with an orientation video and provided with instructions to gain access to MSK systems on your first day. If you are rotating to MSK over the course of a multiple-year program, you must be appointed for each year you are rotating at MSK. Additionally, orientation and check-in forms must be completed every academic year.
You must check in with the MSK program at the beginning of each rotation. Your departmental MSK GME program coordinator can confirm whether there are MSK housing or parking options available to you.
Electives for Trainees Historically Underrepresented in Medicine
MSK is committed to increasing the recruitment and retention of clinical trainees from groups historically underrepresented in medicine and science. We are pleased to offer opportunities for medical students, residents and fellows across our clinical departments. Learn more about our Opportunities for Trainees Historically Underrepresented in Medicine.