At the time a student enters the M.D./Ph.D. Program he/she is assigned a personal faculty advisor --- a Career Mentor. The Oversight Committee makes these assignments from a list of physician-scientists in the Medical Center. The student's long-term career goals and research interests are considered in selecting the most appropriate role model as a Career Mentor. This advisor is distinct from a departmental thesis mentor and is expected to counsel the student about career planning and personal issues. The Career Mentor, in consultation with the Oversight Committee, plays a pivotal role during the period prior to the student's selection of a sponsoring graduate program and during the transition period from the graduate portion to the third year of the medical curriculum. Prior to the selection of a sponsoring graduate program, students are advised by their Career Mentors with regard to research rotations and graduate electives. As the student is preparing for the return to the third year of the medical curriculum, the Career Mentor provides advice and guidance with regard to the transition back to medical school. The Career Mentor also provides advice and assistance with regard to the transition to postgraduate training.

Upon entering the dual degree program, all students are appointed a Peer Mentor. The Peer Mentor is usually a student who has completed at least the first two years of the Medical School curriculum, as well as the first year of their Ph.D. studies. The Peer Mentor is available to the student to provide assistance and counseling from a student's perspective. Students may also be appointed a Clinical Mentor during the Ph.D. portion of the program with the purpose of providing appropriate and meaningful clinical interactions throughout their Ph.D. curriculum.

It is the responsibility of the Director, assisted by the Office of Graduate Biomedical Education, to maintain regular contact with the students and the administrations of the School of Medicine and the Graduate School in order to facilitate the resolution of M.D./Ph.D. student issues and/or concerns. Similarly, students should bring to the attention of the Director and/or the Chair of the Oversight Committee any difficulties they may encounter. Issues not clearly addressed by the existing Program Guidelines will be brought to the attention of the Oversight Committee for review and action.

It is the responsibility of the associate deans of the School of Medicine during the medical years, and the sponsoring graduate program during the graduate years, to ensure that the respective program requirements are met. It is the responsibility of the Director, the Oversight Committee, and the Career Mentor and Clinical Mentor to provide continuity to the students' combined-degree program experience, with particular emphasis on the transition periods between the two portions of the Program.

 

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