Internal Medicine Residency Program

Welcome to the Desert Regional Internal Medicine Residency Program!

We are thrilled to announce this upcoming new community-based program, placing a central emphasis on evidence-based medicine and community service. Our mission is to train compassionate physicians who will elevate adult patient care in the Coachella Valley. By addressing the shortage of primary care physicians, reflecting the community’s rich diversity, and delivering quality, empathetic care, we aim to lead through innovation and advocacy.

Nestled within the Coachella Valley, our program calls the vibrant city of Palm Springs home. As part of the Inland Empire of Southern California, we serve a remarkably diverse patient population. Our unwavering focus lies on those who are medically underserved and most vulnerable. We are committed to teaching the next generation of physicians, instilling in them a sense of social responsibility to enhance health, wellness, and healthcare access.

Our dedicated faculty members bring a wealth of diverse experiences to the table. Their expertise enriches our well-rounded curriculum, ensuring that residents receive comprehensive training. Coupled with exposure to a Level 1 trauma center and state-of-the-art outpatient facilities, our program provides an outstanding training opportunity. Residents not only develop robust clinical skills but also gain leadership experiences, empowering them to be health advocates within our community.

Joel F. Trambley, MD, PhD

Program Director
Desert Regional Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine
American Academy of HIV Medicine Specialist

Residency: Internal Medicine - University of California at San Francisco

Medical Degree: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia

Core Faculty:

• Learned Gonzales, MD
• Apollo Gulle, MD
• Julius Musenze, DO
• Dave Patel, MD
• Kim Phan, DO

First Year Residents

Second Year Residents

Morning Report:

The internal medicine didactic sessions are held every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning from 7:45-8:30 am.

Noon Lectures:

The internal medicine didactic sessions are held Monday through Friday at noon.

Application Information:

The program offers six new positions each year.

TBD

Minimum Requirements:

Residency applicants must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 with no more than one (1) failure and 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) with no failures.

COMLEX Level 1 no more than one (1) failure and COMLEX Level 2 Clinical Exam with no failures.

Must be graduated from medical school within the last five years.

Three letters of recommendation (LORs)-one letter must be from an internal medicine physician.

US citizen and/or permanent resident.

As soon as applicants are accepted into a residency program, they are required to apply for a Postgraduate Training License (PTL) from the Medical Board of California (MBC). Please visit the Medical Board of California website for further information.

International Applicants:

All applicants must possess a valid work permit prior to the date the rank order is submitted to the matching program or prior to a position being offered. This can be met with United States citizenship or permanent residency. We do not sponsor H1 or J1 visas.

International medical school graduates are required to submit the following additional documentation:

• ECFMG Standard Certification with valid date.
• Score for examinations used to qualify for the ECFMG certificate.

A completed application includes ERAS common application form, a dean’s letter, transcript, USMLE transcript or Complex transcripts, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation, preferably including one from a department of medicine chair (or designee)