I.M. a Resident/Fellow: Lauren Montes, MD, MS

Lauren Montes, MD, MS
Internal Medicine Resident, PGY-3
Riverside University Health System, Morena Valley, CA

Which residency or fellowship program are you currently in?

I am a PGY-3 in the HIV & Lifestyle Medicine pathway at Riverside University Health System.

Why did you choose internal medicine? If you’re in fellowship, why did you choose that subspecialty?

I chose internal medicine because I love the diversity and complexity of the field—I’m drawn to the opportunity to care for the whole person rather than just one organ system. It allows me to approach health in a comprehensive and meaningful way, integrating different systems while honoring each patient as a whole individual. 

I chose the Lifestyle Medicine track because I am invigorated by the opportunity to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic diseases through lifestyle interventions. In addition, I chose our HIV pathway to gain more knowledge and training for a medically complex and vulnerable population. Many patients living with HIV must visit two separate doctors to manage their HIV and general health, rather than having a primary care doctor certified in HIV medicine. 

What lesson(s) did you learn in residency or fellowship that will help you for the rest of your career?

You don’t have to know everything: you just have to know someone to call who can help you.

What are your plans for after residency or fellowship? What factors or advice from mentors contributed to your decision?

After residency, I plan to practice as an outpatient primary care physician with a strong focus on lifestyle medicine and the prevention and reversal of chronic diseases. My career goals also include caring for patients living with HIV, addressing obesity through evidence-based approaches, and continuing to practice comprehensive internal medicine. Ultimately, I hope to empower patients to improve their quality of life and celebrate their health in meaningful ways.

How has being a member of ACP helped you in your professional life? What resources have been most helpful to you?

Being a member of ACP has given me the opportunity to be a part of a large, respected, physician organization that advocates for our profession and patients. It has also helped me grow through networking, connecting with mentors and colleagues who share my passion for internal medicine. The most useful resources for me have been ACP’s educational resources as they allow me to strengthen my clinical knowledge and can be applied directly to patient care while I prepare for boards.