Educational Support

At McGovern Medical School, our faculty and staff are dedicated to supporting every student in successfully completing their medical education and earning their degree. We are committed to helping you thrive academically, personally, and professionally.

Our Academic Advising program offers individualized guidance to support your academic progress while also nurturing your overall development as a future physician.  This relationship-centered approach fosters a strong sense of connection, inclusion, and support, ensuring that you never have to navigate your path alone.

Pre-Clinical Students

  • Effective learning and study strategies
  • Exam analysis and test taking skills/strategies
  • Time management tools
  • Resource recommendations
  • Step 1 preparation (includes study calendars, one-on-one advising, check in’s
    during studying)
  • Informational sessions across the year
  • One-on-one sessions

Clinical Students

  • Board and shelf exam preparation
  • Time management for rotations
  • Step 2 preparation
  • One-on-one sessions

The Office of Admissions & Student Affairs (OASA)  offers a free Peer Tutoring Program to support first- and second-year medical students. Tutoring is provided by second- and fourth-year students who have demonstrated strong academic performance in specific subject areas and coursework from the preclinical curriculum.

This service is offered at no cost to students and is available to anyone seeking additional support—regardless of academic standing or reason. If your assigned tutor is not a good fit for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact us for a reassignment by notifying Kimberly Tolar: [email protected]

Request a Tutor

Complete the request form and submit it to the program coordinator. Contact information will be sent to you via email so you can arrange a time and place to meet with your tutor.

Become a Tutor

MS2 and MS4 students can apply to become peer tutors. Complete the application form.

Contact Us

Program Coordinator: Kimberly Tolar
6431 Fannin MSB G.300
Houston, TX 77030
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 713-500-8925

Virtual Study Reviews (VSRs) are offered during the pre-clinical phase of the curriculum and serve as a structured review of the previous week’s material. These student-led sessions reinforce core concepts, promote long-term retention, and help students stay on track with the curriculum.

Wykita “Kita” Adams, PhD | In my role as an Education Specialist, I am dedicated to all things student success at McGovern Medical School. I believe that when students are given the proper support and resources, there is no limit to their success. In this role, I support both pre-clinical and clinical students in the following areas: time management, study skills, exam preparation (module exams, Step 1, & Step 2 CK, and a plethora of resources to encourage and support academic readiness and success.

I currently hold a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy and a masters in Higher Education Administration.

I have over 7 years of advising experience and I began my career in higher education as a student assistant in the Dean’s Office and the Office of Student Affairs in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin. While in graduate school at the University of Texas at San Antonio, I worked as an Administrative Associate at the University of Texas College of Pharmacy and as an intern at the Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio. In 2018, I earned my Master’s Degree and began

working as an Academic Advisor and Counselor in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Texas Southern University.

Pam Bass, MA, CCC

 

 

 

Kimberly Tolar

To schedule an appointment with an Education Specialist, please email Kimberly Tolar.