The Academic Half Day on Thursday mornings is an accepted alternative to the noon conference model. At Hamilton, it consists of 4-5 hours of dedicated educational time. Topics include subspecialty lectures, Journal Club, a Research Curriculum, Department of Medicine Education conferences, a town hall for residents to discuss issues and present hospital committee reports, Continuous quality improvement conference (CQIC), and many other system-based topics. This time is dedicated to education and residents are free from patient care unless on Inpatient or ICU rotations.