The UFCOM Office of Medical Student Affairs is dedicated to supporting the development of competent, compassionate physicians who are equipped to manage the challenges of a medical career. We recognize this profession can be demanding and that healthy physicians are better able to thrive in their clinical, educational, and research endeavors. As a result, there are ongoing efforts to improve the educational experience for our students. Some of these initiatives are described below:
Culture of Wellness
Wellness Through the Arts
Wellness Through the Arts is a series where College of Medicine members explore local arts events together to connect, build community, and boost wellness through shared creative experiences.
Social Event Planning Guide
Looking to have some fun with your department, division, program, or lab? Take the stress out of event planning, with this guide to local options and venues!
Culture of Wellness Guide
Check out this guide of activities to build a culture of wellness in your department, division, program, unit, lab, or clinic! Most activities take 1-10 minutes and can be completed in-person or via Zoom.
State of the Art Medical Education Building
The Harrell Medical Education Building was designed to promote student success, with dedicated spaces for interactive learning, small-group teaching, and simulation-based curricula. Also included are a student lounge and spaces for individual and group studying.
Student Involvement
A variety of student involvement opportunities exist to encourage activities/hobbies both within and outside of medicine while fostering positive relationships among students.
Monthly Student Advocacy Meetings
The Assistant Dean for Medical Education facilitates monthly student advocacy meetings with other student leaders from each of the UF COM programs (MD, PA, MD/PhD, MS, PhD).
HSC Library
The second floor of the HSC Library is accessible by keycard only for students in the health science center colleges to provide access to a safe and quiet place for study on a 24-hour basis.
International Student Center
The International Student Center serves as a central resource for international students regarding visa status, as well as resources and benefits they are eligible for during their stay in the US.
Equal Access Clinic
Opportunities to provide volunteer medical care through the Equal Access Clinic, Mobile Outreach Clinic, and international outreach trips provide inspiration and promote joy in medicine
Collaborative Learning Group (CLG)
All medical students are assigned to a Collaborative Learning Group (CLG) with a consistent faculty advisor across all four years of school. Goals of the CLG include:
- Fostering a supportive environment to promote mental, physical, and emotional wellness through peer and faculty support
- Creating a safe space to discuss sensitive personal and professional topics
- Developing a professional identity (includes lifelong learning skills)
Workplace Efficiency
Public Speaking Lab
The Public Speaking Lab offers assistance to medical students seeking to develop effective speaking skills. The speech lab is a free service and provides an opportunity for individuals to brush up on this critical communication skill.
GatorMedicine Center for Excellence in Studying
Access to the “GatorMedicine Center for Excellence in Studying” student-run website designed to help make studying as productive/efficient as possible.
Learning Specialist Tutoring Services
Tutoring service are available for medical students who need assistance with their coursework: students are encouraged to email Dr. Gorske at
jgorske@ufl.edu
Travel Funds
UF COM travel funds provide financial assistance to students presenting research or serving in leadership roles when mentors or organizations cannot cover their expenses.
Additional Curriculum Details…
- Use of “flipped classroom” teaching style helps to maximize comprehension/retention of information and improve critical thinking skills related to clinical decision-making.
- Lectures are videotaped and posted online through e-Learning to allow students to watch at their convenience, and review while studying. Lectures can be accessed from anywhere and are available within 4 hours from the time the live lecture is completed.
- Lecture notes are posted online in advance of the class session, allowing students to preview/review material to improve their learning.
- First year medical students complete a clinical Preceptorship in December, giving them early exposure and experience to live patients in an outpatient primary care setting.
- The basic science curriculum exhibits an intentional curricular structure, where basic science didactics are integrated with discussion of relevant clinical cases and development of corresponding clinical skills in CLG.
- The medical student course calendar is set up at least a semester in advance, allowing students to plan ahead for family obligations and other responsibilities. The use of ILIOS provides a personalized student view to maximize clarity of the calendar.
- Curriculum is limited in required “face time” to allow students maximum time for studying and pursuit of practical interests.
- The CLG program provides opportunities for small group learning in the development of clinical skills.
- Students participate in patient simulations and standardized patient interactions beginning in their first year in order to gain practical experience.
- Second year students are allotted 6-8 weeks of dedicated Step 1 study time to prepare for the exam.
Individual Factors
Office of Student Counseling & Development
The Office of Student Counseling & Development provides confidential, short-term, personal counseling to the graduate, medical, and physician assistant students in the College of Medicine.
UF Counseling & Wellness Center (CWC)
The UF Counseling & Wellness Center offers a number of mental health services for graduate students, including psychiatry and psychotherapy, groups, workshops, and other resources.
Professionals Resource Network, Inc.
All medical students in Florida who are struggling with a potentially-impairing condition have access to the resources offered by the Professionals Resource Network, Inc., which provides advocacy and monitoring services to help licensed health care professionals succeed in their path to recovery.
Student Health Care Center
The Student Health Care Center offers primary and specialty care services for students at the University of Florida.
UF GatorWell
UF GatorWell offers a number of health promotion services and resources for students in the UF Community and their spouses.
Resource Hub
The UFCOM, UF Health, the University of Florida, and Alachua County/Gainesville have a huge variety of wellness-related resources available for medical students.