Explore ThedaCare’s Internal Medicine Residency Program
We are thrilled that you are taking the time to learn about our internal medicine residency program. We invite you to start your exploration by hearing directly from our program leaders and faculty.
Our Mission
We seek to train multifaceted internists who expertly care for people across the continuum of patient acuity and who lead system-level changes that improve the health of communities in northeast and central Wisconsin and beyond.
Our Core Pillars
- Critical thinking. Deepen curiosity and disposition toward scientific inquiry.
- Ownership. Strive for high autonomy and lead change.
- Humanism. Approach work with humility and a commitment to inclusivity and justice.
- Flourishing. Seek harmony in personal and professional lives while also cultivating a unique identity as a physician.
Hear From the Experts
Discover how ThedaCare’s Internal Medicine Residency Program prepares future physicians to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care that empowers individuals to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Meet Dr. Paul Bergl, Internal Medicine Residency Program Director
Application Process, Requirements & Contact Information
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Match. We will only review applications submitted through Association of American Medical Colleges Electronic Residency Application Service (AAMC ERAS) by Dec. 31, 2025.
1. Graduation
All applicants must have graduated from an accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical school in the United States or must have an equivalent degree from an international medical school (e.g. MBBS, MBChB). We do not employ strict year of graduation cut-offs in our initial application screening process.
2. USMLE
Applicants must have passed the USMLE Step 1 and/or COMLEX Level 1 examination. We strongly prefer applicants who have passed the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and/or COMLEX Level 2 examination. We will consider candidates who did not pass these examinations on their first attempt, and we do not use strict cut-offs for scores on the Step 2 CK or COMLEX examinations in prioritizing candidates for interviews.
3. Letters of Recommendation
A medical student performance evaluation (MSPE or “Dean’s letter”) or equivalent document must accompany each application. We also require three (3) letters of recommendation, two of which must come from an internal medicine specialist, subspecialist or equivalent.
4. Personal Statement
A personal statement must accompany each application; however, we do not require customized statements for our program. We appreciate honesty and promote transparency. As such, we favorably view personal statements that contextualize certain factors, including extensions of medical school graduation date, significant gaps in training and failed attempts on USMLE examinations.
5. International Medical Graduates
For international medical graduates (IMGs), we require certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). We will consider applicants on J1 visas but are unable to accommodate H1B visas. Additional information about visas is available through our sponsoring institution’s website.
6. Candidates with Post-Graduate Training
We consider applicants who have completed partial clinical training in another specialty through an Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited residency program or have completed internal medicine residency training outside of the United States. Both types of applicants may be eligible for up to 12 months’ credit toward their internal medicine training in accordance with American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) policies. Please note that program leadership can only petition the ABIM for such credit after three months’ observation on the job here and that such credit cannot be guaranteed.
We commit to a holistic review of our applicants, but we reserve the right to use filters to prioritize interview invitations. All program faculty involved in reviewing applications and ranking applicants conduct evaluations under the ACGME’s framework for holistic review.
We are offering virtual interviews from mid-October 2025 through the end of January 2026. We will preferentially interview applicants who signal our program.
We will extend invitations on a rolling basis. Invitations will be released on Tuesdays after 3 p.m. eastern time. All interview offers are guaranteed for at least four business days, i.e. until the following Monday afternoon. You will not lose your interview offer to other candidates if you respond within this timeframe. However, out of respect for other applicants, we may rescind our offer after four business days have lapsed. We anticipate sending most of our interview invitations by Dec. 16, 2025, but we may extend additional interview invitations into early January 2026 if slots become available.
We commit to using interview techniques that limit bias and noise in candidates’ rankings. All faculty conducting interviews have received training on mechanisms to maximize objectivity in our selection process.
We will offer one to two optional in-person visits in late February after we have certified our rank list through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Such visits will have no bearing on rankings. We simply want to allow interested candidates the opportunity to visit our facilities and our community before finalizing their own rank list. All interviewed candidates will receive email communication about our second-look date(s).
Our program is committed to the highest standards of graduate medical education. We fully adhere to the NRMP Match agreement, the NRMP Code of Conduct and all policies set forth by the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM). All faculty, staff and learners involved in recruitment and interview activities participate in mandatory annual training on these standards and complete an attestation of compliance each year.
We are committed to transparent and structured communication with applicants. As stated above, and in accordance with AAIM and NRMP guidelines, our program does not use post-interview visits (i.e. “second looks”) in determining applicant placement on our rank list. We reserve the right to conduct post-interview communication with interviewees, but we will never use such communication to coerce applicants or to influence our ranking decisions.
Mechanisms for anonymous reporting of concerns are available through our sponsoring institution, the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, or through the NRMP directly.
Check back soon for contact information.
Didactics and Curriculum
Our program’s four pillars inform our design of didactics and curriculum and approach toward clinical rotations.
- Critical thinking — Residents will deepen their curiosity and disposition toward scientific inquiry.
- Ownership — Residents will strive for high autonomy and lead change.
- Humanism — Residents will approach their work with humility and a commitment to inclusivity and justice.
- Flourishing — Residents will achieve harmony in their personal and professional lives while also cultivating their unique identity as a physician.
Overview
We operate on a 4+1 scheduling model. During the “4” weeks, residents complete 4-week inpatient rotations (e.g. hospital wards, ICU) or paired 2-week rotations (e.g. night float followed by emergency medicine; endocrinology followed by neurology, etc.). Vacation time occurs during the “4” blocks. On the “+1” weeks, residents have their continuity clinics and other ambulatory experiences.
We utilize a night float model to cover all critical inpatient service lines. Residents do not complete admission cycles longer than 12 hours.
Sample Schedule
Rotations
- Inpatient Hospitalist/General Wards — Residents staff three inpatient primary services at our primary training site, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. Senior residents also rotate at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton for exposure to our niche populations, such as our large cardiology service line.
- Outpatient Clinic — Residents have 5-6 half-days in their continuity clinic on “+1” weeks. Clinical sites are predominantly within ThedaCare’s on- and off-site clinics with a dedicated cadre of outpatient internists. The remainder of the “+1” week consist of other ambulatory clinics germane to the practice of internal medicine (e.g. sports medicine, addiction medicine) and protected time for scholarship.
- ICU — Residents rotate through ICUs at both of our regional medical centers. ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah is our stroke center and level 2 trauma center, and ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton is our cardiac care center. Rotations will be balanced to provide a broad exposure to critical care.
- Subspecialty Rotations — Residents complete at least two weeks of a dedicated rotation for each of the nine major subspecialties of internal medicine and their required neurology experience. These rotations occur during the “4” and not the “+1” part of the schedule to allow continuity with the subspecialty team(s). For primarily outpatient subspecialties, most experiences are in ambulatory settings. Residents will experience subspecialty care with both ThedaCare-employed physicians and our community partners.
- Emergency Medicine — Residents will work at our stroke and level 2 trauma center in Neenah, as well as at our busy and clinically diverse critical access emergency rooms (all within one hour of our primary site) for a total of four weeks in residency.
- Electives and Research — During these times, residents may opt for additional core or subspecialty clinical rotations, rotations outside of internal medicine specialties, time at our network of critical access hospitals, approved extramural rotations, research time, point-of-care ultrasound rotation, etc.
- Schedule Individualization — In accordance with the ACGME program requirements, residents will have at least 6 months of core clinical and non-clinical elective experiences tailored to their anticipated career plans.
We recognize the wealth of resources of medical knowledge now available to contemporary trainees. Thus, we seek to emphasize application of knowledge, sound clinical judgment and practical use cases in our precious time together.
To facilitate attendance, didactics are offered in person with a Zoom option for those off-site. We do not enforce a strict conference attendance policy, but we track attendance as one metric of residents’ engagement and to aid in developing individual learning plans.
Intern Core Series — During onboarding and weekly in first 6 months
Residents will gain practical skills in outpatient visit preparation, inter-visit care, in-basket management, medication reconciliation and inpatient handoffs. In addition, we cover common inpatient emergencies and challenging inter-visit outpatient issues. Finally, we review various professionalism topics and time management and self-care strategies.
Onboarding and intern core series also include simulation-based learning in procedural skills and other high-stakes, low-frequency scenarios.
Morning Report — Approximately 2-3 session weekly
Residents construct diagnostic frameworks toward common internal medicine problems, weigh therapeutic options and integrate disease-specific management plans based on a mix of known and unknown cases.
Board Review — Weekly
Residents review board questions and rapid-fire presentations to cover the highest-yield examination topics.
Subspecialty Series — Weekly
Residents learn contemporary approaches to diagnosis and treatment of internal medicine conditions from our expert colleagues in the ThedaCare community and among our affiliated partners.
Journal Club — Twice per month
Residents appraise the latest evidence through immersive learning strategies. In addition, residents analyze complex clinical decisions in a pro/con debate format centered on recent scientific studies.
Medicine Grand Rounds — Once per month
Residents gain insight into the latest advances in clinical internal medicine and its subspecialties with internal and external speakers.
Patient Safety and Care Improvement Conference — Once per month
In the vein of traditional morbidity and mortality conferences, this multidisciplinary conference evaluates cases of patient harm and near misses. Participants propose systemic improvements to care processes, communication and the work environment to mitigate future risk of harm.
E2PC2: Equity, Ethics, Professionalism and Cultural Competency — Once per month
Residents critically analyze complex ethical dilemmas and professional challenges in clinical practice by applying principles of ethics, equity and cultural competency.
All internal medicine residents will also receive paid annual membership in the American College of Physicians (ACP) and a three-year subscription to the ACP’s Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP) board review program. These perks allow residents to develop a board study plan from the outset of their training and to enjoy other continuing education offered through the ACP.
Typical Didactic Calendar over One Month
Our Faculty
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Residency: University of Chicago
Fellowship(s): Critical Care Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Milwaukee, WI
Professional Summary
Clinically, I practice critical care medicine and especially enjoy the nuances of managing circulatory shock and respiratory failure. I’ve spent over a decade immersed in clinical teaching and medical education, and I’ve garnered over a dozen major teaching awards from students, residents and fellows during that time. My scholarly pursuits have focused on diagnostic error, point-of-care echocardiography, and bedside teaching and rounding.
Personal Interests and Hobbies
Outside of work, I prioritize spending time with my wife Kate and our three children. Our family enjoys bicycling, hiking and sports of all seasons. My other hobbies include cooking and barbecuing, and I dabble in multiple musical instruments.
Why ThedaCare
Two simple reasons: the people and the culture.
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Residency: University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics
Professional Summary
After completing my residency, I returned to the Fox Valley and have been serving as a hospitalist at ThedaCare regional hospitals in Appleton and Neenah since 2020. I’m deeply committed to patient-centered care, emphasizing education, transparency, and meaningful discussions around quality of life and goals of care. As a front-line provider, I prioritize compassionate communication with patients and their families throughout hospitalization.I take great pride in working with residents and medical students on the teaching service, sharing both clinical knowledge and a passion for diagnostic medicine. I’m also actively involved in process and quality improvement initiatives at both local and systemwide levels. My work focuses on enhancing patient care, improving workflow efficiency, optimizing Epic use and strengthening transitions of care. I strongly believe in fostering provider engagement through participation in committees, interdisciplinary education and collaborative quality improvement efforts.
Personal Interests and Hobbies
During my off-weeks, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband and two children, and exploring Wisconsin’s state parks through camping, hiking, canoeing and bird watching. Gardening and landscaping serve as personal outlets for relaxation and reflection, especially after busy summer shifts. Each year, my family looks forward to a vacation cruise —remarkably, still without a case of norovirus!Why ThedaCare
In my experience, ThedaCare stands out for its commitment to innovation, high-quality care and population health. The organization embraces advancements in technology and artificial intelligence while consistently achieving top-decile performance metrics. ThedaCare also demonstrates a strong investment in developing the next generation of physicians to serve our increasingly complex rural and regional patient populations.Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Aurora Health Care Internal Medicine
Professional Summary
Few medical specialties demand the delicate balance of clinical expertise, emotional intelligence and humanity like hospice and hospitalist care — where technical knowledge meets profound human experiences of mortality, hope and healing. Since completing residency in 2021, I’ve served as a ThedaCare hospice medical director, receiving teaching awards and leading quality improvement projects that have enhanced patient care.
Personal Interests and Hobbies
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, my two dogs and the chosen family that grows regularly. When I’m not with loved ones, you’ll find me volunteering in the community, horseback riding, playing piano, and traveling to concert halls where movie scores are performed live alongside the films (there’s nothing quite like hearing John Williams conduct a live orchestra while watching Star Wars!).
Why ThedaCare
Coming to work for ThedaCare felt like coming home. During my undergraduate years, I spent three years working for the organization in various capacities — as an ER physician scribe, phlebotomist, health coach and more. Being able to return and work alongside the very physicians who helped guide me toward my dream of becoming a physician has been profoundly meaningful.
Medical School: Sanford School of Medicine at University of South Dakota
Residency: Gundersen Lutheran Hospital
Professional Summary
I’ve been practicing outpatient internal medicine at ThedaCare since 2007 and have served as our group’s medical director since 2009. Prior to that, I practiced a combination of inpatient and outpatient, which really rooted my experience. As an educator, I’ve previously served as an internal medicine residency associate program director and clerkship director for both internal medicine and primary care rotations for medical students.
I love understanding pathophysiology and being able to bring that to life for patients, medical students and residents. My special interest is in endocrinology. I especially enjoy the complexity of internal medicine patients.
I’m proud of the outstanding quality of care we’ve been able to achieve in ThedaCare internal medicine, despite the complexity of our patients.
Personal Interests and Hobbies
My husband, Neil, and I have two adult children whom we love to visit. We enjoy movies, theater, hiking and snorkeling. I’m also passionate about travel and am working on setting foot on all the continents.
Why ThedaCare
ThedaCare has a reputation and tradition of leading in the areas of quality and process improvement. Neenah, Appleton and the greater Fox Valley area have so much to offer thoughtful professionals as they pursue training.
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Residency: St. Vincent Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency
Professional Summary
Clinically, I am trained in internal medicine with a strong background in both hospital and ambulatory medicine. I have spent over a decade engaged in clinical care, medical education, and mentoring medical students and residents. My professional interests include quality improvement, patient safety and population health, with a focus on system-level change that improves outcomes and equity. I have led several initiatives across our health system to advance compassionate, high-reliability care and create a culture of dignity for both patients and clinicians.
Personal Interests and Hobbies
I deeply value time with my wife and our four children. As a family, we enjoy road trips, biking, lakes and exploring the outdoors together. My personal passions include scripture study, community service, and engaging in health outreach through our nonprofit foundation focused on medical missions and youth empowerment.
Why ThedaCare
I believe in the mission and the people. ThedaCare offers a rare combination of purpose-driven leadership, a collaborative culture, and a commitment to improving health and wellness for our communities.
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals
Professional Summary
I arrived in Neenah in 1993 to build a solo independent traditional practice, which included inpatient, outpatient, ICU and nursing home coverage.
After 20 years of independent practice, I formally joined the ThedaCare team with which I had become very aligned.
I maintained a traditional style of medicine until 2020, when I chose to focus on my clinic practice and bariatric surgery consultations.
For me, the most rewarding part of being an outpatient internist is the relationships I have forged over years of partnering with individuals during their health care journey. Patients in this community are friends, neighbors and colleagues. Those bonds motivate me every day to do my best to exceed expectations in meeting an individual’s health care needs.
Now, with the development of our internal medicine residency program, I have the opportunity to pass on what I have learned to the next generation of internists — and hopefully help foster their talent and passion for caregiving.
Personal Interests and Hobbies
Family is first! Thirty-three years of marriage (and counting) with three adult kids.
I prioritize any time together and especially appreciate when we can share holidays, travel, exercise, sporting events (Go Pack Go!) and music festivals.
Why ThedaCare
ThedaCare is a unique organization that reflects the community it serves. Both strive for continuous improvement, prioritize quality and are supportive of each other. That symbiosis allows ThedaCare to grow and prosper in a profound way.
The history of ThedaCare — along with the community support for its vision of the future —makes me optimistic about a successful legacy from which we will all benefit.
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Residency: Houston Methodist Internal Medicine Residency
Fellowship(s): Critical Care Fellowship, University of New Mexico Hospital
Professional Summary
I love critical care for its intensity, teamwork and the up-close interaction you get with rapidly evolving patient physiology. It’s a great specialty for those of us who enjoy tightknit collaboration with multiple specialties and disciplines, as well as connecting with patients and families during these tough yet crucial life situations. Atop my clinical work, I am passionate about system structure, workflow optimization and strategic operational enhancement, in order to most effectively channel the team’s talent into the best outcomes for our patients.
Personal Interests and Hobbies
Triathlon training (swim-bike-run!), cooking, travel, art and spending time with my husband, Alvin, and our husky Toothpaste.
Why ThedaCare
ThedaCare is a busy community hospital setting with a high-acuity patient population and broad range of clinical practice. It represents a fantastic training environment. This is a great place to start your career, and you will be joining a cool team that is determined to see you succeed.
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Hennepin Healthcare Internal Medicine Residency
Professional Summary
After completing my residency at Hennepin County Medical Center, I came to ThedaCare as a hospitalist and have been here since 2015. I have been our group’s educational liaison, working with the local family practice residency as well as the Medical College of Wisconsin-Green Bay students. During this time, I’ve won several teaching awards from both organizations. Aside from the fun I have working with students and residents, I take great interest in the diagnostic reasoning process and keeping up with medical science.
Personal Interests
My wife and I stay quite busy following along with the busy lives of our three children. When we have time to ourselves, you’ll find us at a trivia night or meeting with our friends at book club.
Why ThedaCare
ThedaCare is a devoted group of nurses, therapists, support staff, secretarial staff, doctors and many others. The incoming residents will join that team in serving our community. The whole ThedaCare team, whether in the clinic or hospital setting, is also ready and eager to foster the residents’ development.