Admissions & Student Affairs

at McGovern Medical School

McGovern students volunteering at Hermann Park Centennial Gardens

Wellness & Resilience

The Office of Admissions and Student Affairs (OASA) is growing a culture of wellness through a longitudinal and holistic program that will promote the importance of health and well-being throughout medical school and beyond. OASA is dedicated to supporting overall success and wellness of all students. With a robust resilience skill set, students will be positioned to optimally serve their communities and actively achieve best patient outcomes.

With the ushering in of a new curriculum, the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs is embarking on an overhaul of the existing wellness resources to provide a more comprehensive and longitudinal wellness and resilience program that will promote the importance of mental health for our students throughout medical school and their careers. The infrastructure of the new wellness platform relies on an overarching approach that integrates multiple dimensions that contribute to student wellness:

Mentoring and Advising (McGovern Societies Advisory Program)
Occupational Development
Professionalism and Leadership
Personal Health and Self-Care
Interpersonal Growth and
Cultural and Environmental Proficiency

Vision Statement
We function to produce exemplary, patient-centered physicians. We believe that starts with physicians being well, a journey that begins in medical school. Our job is to inspire and empower our students to prioritize their overall well-being.

We do that by planting mindfulness seeds for our students to nurture throughout their career. We support our students in becoming conscious of their well-being needs, prioritizing them, and knowing how to meet those needs.

We equip through role models and customizable, evidence-based programs that meet students where we find them. We offer a holistic suite of resources: academic, physical, mental, professional, financial, diversity, and service.

Academic Resources

Step 1 Prep & Pre-Clerkship Resources coming soon!

Step 2 Prep & Clerkship Resources

Disclaimer: This document is intended to provide information for students. Links to third-party web sites and resources are provided as a convenience. UTHealth has not confirmed and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information contained on a third-party web site. Reference to a third-party web site or resource does not constitute or imply the endorsement or recommendation by UTHealth. A student’s use of this document and/or the third-party links/references provided, is not a guarantee of academic success.

Study Planning & Time Management

Study Plan: make sure you have a disciplined and structured approach regarding how and what you are studying. You need to make time for wellness: sleep, exercise, meals & relaxation time.
Review your study plan and ensure that you have balanced your study with your wellness time.
An effective study plan requires ongoing modifications and review, it is a live document and changes need to be made in light of your study and learning preferences and needs. You are most welcome to make an appointment to see me so that we can review your study plan.
Develop a spreadsheet, notebook, or power point so you can record and review your analyses of questions by actively reviewing question errors and incorporating correct answers, which can then be consistently reviewed on a daily and weekly basis. (Cross reference to Q Banks).
Structured learning strengthens learning memory (Kelman & Straker, 2000, p.4).

Building in specific review blocks is critical for:

Distributed practice: review at regular intervals.
Consistent coverage for each subject area
Increasing learning and retention through spaced repetition.

Varied input modality strengthens learning because “information received in different ways (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) is stored differently in the brain . . . and optimizes neural interchange (theoretically)” (Kelman & Straker, 2000, p.5).

Reference: Kelman, E. G., & Straker, K. C. (2000). Study without stress: Mastering medical sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

USMLE: Content Description & General Information

As part of your Step 2 preparation it is suggested that you view the USMLE website: https://www.usmle.org/step-2-ck/ and the USMLE bulletin: https://www.usmle.org/bulletin/ for information updates and for information regarding USMLE policies and procedures such as: https://www.usmle.org/step-2-ck/

Eligibility for the USMLE Examinations(PDF)
Applying and Scheduling (PDF)
Examination Day and Testing (PDF)
Scoring and Score Reporting (PDF)
Irregular Behavior (PDF)

New practice questions and helpful information for the Step 2 CK exam is available was posted on USMLE website on May 21 2018.

Examinees planning to take the Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) exam are encouraged to review:

Tutorial and Practice Test Items for Multiple-Choice Questions
USMLE Step 2 CK Sample Items booklet (PDF)
USMLE Step 2 CK Content Description and General Information booklet (PDF)

USMLE Score Interpretation Guidelines – updated version available now posted: May 14, 2018

An updated version of the USMLE Score Interpretation Guidelines (SIG) has been posted to the USMLE website. Topics include:

Description of Examinations
Understanding Your Score
Recent Means and Standard Deviations (SDs), 2015-2017
- Norm Table
- Passing Scores
Precision of Scores
Guidelines for Use of USMLE Step Scores for Selection Decisions

USMLE: Practice Materials: http://www.usmle.org/practice-materials/

http://www.usmle.org/practice-materials/#tab_step2ck

USMLE Step 2 document provides an overview of: content outline, specifications, content description and test question formats. This is a key document that describes the course description., provides test specifications: Systems and Processes, Physician Tasks/Competencies, Clinical Knowledge: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) Content & Competency examples:

http://www.usmle.org/step-2-ck/#testformat

http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/step-2-ck/Step2CK_Content.pdf

http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/step-2-ck/Step2CK_SampleItems.pdf

https://www.aamc.org/

NBME Practice Tests: Comprehensive Clinical Science (Forms 3, 4, 6 and 7) each: $50

Comprehensive Clinical Science w/ Expanded Feedback (Forms 4, 6, and 7) each; $60.

https://nsas.nbme.org/

NBME Subject Exam Guide: https://www.nbme.org/pdf/SubjectExams/SubExamInfoGuide.pdf

Where possible purchase the expanded feedback since it provides evaluative feedback per test and longitudinally so you can look at patterns in performance and compare data. The feedback if applied appropriately, may lead to modifications in your study plan by addressing weak areas and correcting your incorrect answers. Note, it is important to know why your answer was incorrect and record your findings in a note book or spreadsheet for ease of access for regular daily and weekly review. Tracking and analyzing your performance is important to close knowledge gaps and encourages you to be proactive and reflective of where you may need to improve in a strategic way.

Note there is no one approach since each learner has their own knowledge base, skill set and learning approaches which works best for them.

Resources: Study Guides and Q Banks

Resources that students report on being useful are outlined below. Please note that each person’s learning style and preference is different so you will need to explore different resources which work best for you.

When using Q Banks it is critical to actively review question errors and correct answers in case they were lucky responses. Use Tutor mode for learning and timed random for test prep. Track your performance & look for patterns regarding errors so that you can address them. Online platforms are useful for digital tracking but you can also make your own as outlined in point 3. Passes in Q Bank may be done in different modes: tutor mode is when you are learning the key concepts and timed random is when you have randomized the questions simulating a test /exam.

Brochert’s Crush Step 2: The Ultimate USMLE Step 2 Review, by Theodore X. O’Connell MD

UWorld http://www.uworld.com/Step2CK/Step2CK_qbank.aspx

Step 2 Secrets.

Master the Boards

Kaplan practice tests & Q-banks.

Goljan videos

DIT course book& videos

Crush Step II,

First Aid for the USMLE Step II CK

Step-up to USMLE Step 2

Online MedEd

Case Files.

https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/index.aspx

https://www.medscape.com/public/applanding

http://www.imedicalapps.com/2011/03/best-free-medical-calculator-apps-iphone/

First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CK, Ninth Edition (First Aid USMLE) by Tao Le

Step-Up to Medicine (Step-Up Series) by Steven S. Agabegi

https://www.medschooltutors.com/blog/how-i-scored-a-270-on-the-usmle-step-2-ck

Tips on UMLE questions:

http://usmlethought.com/Handling_USMLE_questions.html

Doctor’s In Training Step 2 CK:

Clerkship Crash Cart: available July 2 2018

Step 2 CK video will be released for purchase in May 2019

http://www.doctorsintraining.com/shop/usmle-step-2/

USMLE –RX: Step 1 & Step 2:

https://usmle-rx.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001493732-QMax-Using-the-Advanced-Test-Creation

IM Clerkships/Step 2 Prep: https://www.acponline.org/featured-products/im-essentials

Lecturio: Video selection: https://www.lecturio.com/medical-courses/family-medicine.course#/

Useful information regarding resources for Step 2 CK and number of passes through a Q Bank:

https://www.medschooltutors.com/blog/besting-the-usmle-step-2-ck-beast-a-comprehensive-resource-review

6. Clerkship Resources: Emma Holliday Ramahi

http://som.uthscsa.edu/StudentAffairs/thirdyear.asp

This link has various power points on the following

Psychiatry

http://som.uthscsa.edu/StudentAffairs/documents/HighYieldPsychiatry.pdf

Pediatrics

http://som.uthscsa.edu/StudentAffairs/documents/Pediatrics.pdf

Surgery

http://som.uthscsa.edu/StudentAffairs/documents/High_Yield_Surgery_Compatible_Version.pdf

Internal Medicine

http://som.uthscsa.edu/StudentAffairs/documents/HighYieldInternalMedicinecompatibleversion.pdf

https://quizlet.com/179642541/emma-holliday-ramahi-internal-medicine-flash-cards/

Careers in Medicine

Occupational Development

Biannually, a formal seminar will be held to introduce the Careers in Medicine (CiM) program available through the AAMC, which guides students through the elements of career planning, including self-understanding, exploring a variety of medical careers, and finally choosing a specialty to meet their career objectives. Students will be required to complete assessment tools in tandem with their interactions with Specialty Advisors, the Academic Coach and Student Affairs Dean preparing to write the MSPE.

OASA will be implementing the AAMC Careers in Medicine program to aid in educating medical students about specialty options and ultimately empower their career selection. Click here to visit the Careers in Medicine site and learn about a variety of assessments to help identify best fits, specialty details including salary and lifestyle, compare qualifications, and much more!

Specialty Spotlight

Classroom

Community

Service

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ – Martin Luther King, Jr

08.09.18: Day of Service

The 9th of August is the fourth McGovern Medical School Day of Service. On this day, 240+ students and faculty members will be immersing themselves in service to the Houston community. We believe it is fitting and just to give back to the community that is contributing to the training of our future physicians. While we hope to make a beneficial impact to our surrounding areas, we also know that serving others results in a truly profound impact on the participants.

Visit us on social media for updates throughout the day #McGovernCares.

Cultural Competence

We will identify and provide tools that will enhance clinical training through the promotion of an appreciation for pluralism rooted in intellectual vitality and cross-cultural understanding that shapes the medical education experience. Access to such tools helps physicians-in-training to become culturally competent in the context of patient care and encourages their consideration of culture when developing treatment plans to yield patient satisfaction and the best health outcomes possible. This curricular enhancement allows a real-time, heightened awareness of the contributions of language, racial, ethnic and cultural discordance as barriers to successful medical treatment.

We want all graduates to be culturally sensitive and to demonstrate a consciousness that embraces distinct perspectives and unique strengths while recognizing that exposure to all types of diversity enriches medical education, and ultimately, treatment plans. We would like our trainees to understand that, “Cultural competence does not require that patients be treated by using the same methods used in their country of origin. However, cultural competency does create a compelling case for understanding the different ways patients act in a clinical setting and for communicating with patients to ensure the best possible clinical outcome.” (Goldsmith, 2000)

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion conducts a two part Unconscious Bias training for incoming students. Throughout the medical school experience, there are countless sessions and resources available to support cultural competency.

McGovern Kindness Initiative

In the midst of such challenging times, acts of kindness can initiate a limitless positive ripple effect. Random acts of kindness are critical to our well-being as they necessitate empathy, selfless behavior, and social contact. We at McGovern Medical School want to be part of the solution.

Financial Wellness

Financial-Wellness

AAMC FIRST

The AAMC’s FIRST (Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools) program provides free resources to help you make wise financial decisions. Whether you’re thinking about how to afford medical school, applying for student loans, or determining your loan repayment options, you’ll find unbiased, reliable guidance from FIRST.

Budgeting Tips

Need help creating and managing a budget, click here for advice from Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education.

Financial Aid Office

For any questions about your financial aid, contact the Student Financial Services at 713.500.3860 or visit their website.

McGovern Societies

The overarching mission of the McGovern Society Advisory Program is to inculcate in our students a sense of responsibility to attend to their own self-care, wellness and resilience and to cultivate and promote throughout the McGovern Medical School a palpable and sustainable culture of wellness, resilience and professionalism.

Strategically housed in and administered by the McGovern Medical School (MMS) Office of Admissions and Student Affairs (OASA), the McGovern Societies Advisory Program is intentionally compartmentalized from the more traditional, didactic and graded components of the curriculum. As such, the McGovern Societies are an integrated, seamless mentoring and advising system uniquely positioned to supply an educational space where a free exchange of information, reflections, and resources can occur to support our students’ wellness, resilience and professionalism. The relationships that are fostered will often pre-date admissions and continue through matriculation, graduation and well beyond. Issues pertaining to medical education, well-being, resilience, the hidden curriculum and professionalism can be organically dissected in a safe, confidential environment without concern for academic repercussions. The faculty participants are carefully selected for service as McGovern Society Leaders as they must have the requisite knowledge to sagely advise without alienating; to counsel in a manner that is able to be received by the advisee; to mentor across a broad range of interests; and to persist throughout the duration of the medical education of each member in their society.

Each McGovern Society is initially comprised of eight to ten MSIs, who prior to matriculation, are assigned to a group that is led and advised by a clinical faculty member by whom, when possible, they were interviewed. Students will maintain membership in that community throughout their undergraduate medical education. Leaders are assisted by two MSII students and one MSIV student (known as McGovern Society Peer Mentors). The McGovern Societies meet on scheduled days at noon with lunch provided, eight times during year one and four times during year two. Attendance is mandatory. During the third and fourth years, students will remain attached to their originally assigned Society, but will also be mentored by a specialty advisor based on career interests.

Mental Health

The health and well-being of our students is paramount to us at McGovern Medical School. To serve our students we have a licensed Psychiatrist who carries out assessments and prescribes medications. Our psychologist performs psychological testing and counsels on various topics. All visits are confidential and not shared with Student Affairs or faculty unless you indicate so.

Psychiatry

Our Psychiatrist is available at Student Health on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. An on call Psychiatrist is available after hours if needed. Please call our after-hours number at 713.500.5173 if you need assistance after 5:00 p.m.

Counseling

Our two licensed Psychologists have experience in numerous setting such as hospitals, schools, and universities. They counsel on a variety of topics including but not limited to stress management, personal conflicts, and family related problems. They are available Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Student Health.

I-M-U-T

UTHealth’s educational reputation has been built on the tradition of providing students with the highest quality of education and preparing them to be leaders in their respective fields. We also strive to give our students access to resources that foster their academic success and also their personal wellness. In addition to our campus Counseling Center, we are pleased to offer I-M-U-T, a 24 hour-a-day, 7-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year service now available for all UTHealth students. This hotline was established to further support wellness in our student community and expand students’ network of immediate responders in times of crisis or imminent threat.

Student are encouraged to call the I-M-U-T hotline for assistance with personal crisis or situations they deem threatening or dangerous – and they will be in direct contact with professional behavioral health and wellness services in real-time. This program offers our students crisis response and triage services for timely, effective assessment and intervention.

Nutrition

nutrition

Proper nutrition is fundamental to any wellness plan. Food fuels our bodies and minds; simply put, good input equals good output. For help starting your balanced eating routine, start here

Resources

Academic concerns: Dr. Lahoti 713-500-5163
Accommodations/Disabilities: Dr. McNeese 713-500-5163
Admissions Interview Schedule: Laura Avery 713-500-5642
Bursar’s Office: 713-500-3088
Careers in Medicine: Nicole Dubuque 713-500-5044 or Steve Jones 713-500-5158
Commencement: Dr. McDowelle 713-500-5160
Diversity & Inclusion: 713-500-5040
Dual Degree Programs:
MD/MPH Dr. Benjamins 713-500-5663 & Dr. Piller 713-500-9507
https://med.uth.edu/dualdegreeprograms/mdmph/
MD/MBA – Dr. Bungo 713-500-5532
https://med.uth.edu/dualdegreeprograms/mdmba/
MD/PhD – Dr. Milewicz 713-500-6725 or Ms. Betsy Kindred 713-500-6607
https://gsbs.uth.edu/mdphd/
Educational Programs (Office of): 713-500-5140 (including free tutoring)
Escort (leaving bldg. at night, etc.): Security 713-792-2890
Excused Absences: Dr. McDowelle 713-500-5160
FERPA: Dr. McDowelle 713-500-5160
Financial aid/Emergency Loans: Financial Aid Office 713-500-3860
Health Insurance: Auxiliary Enterprises 713-500-8400
Learning Resource Center (LRC): 713-500-5145
Library: TMC 713-795-4200
Mental health: Student Counseling Service 713-500-3327; I-M-U-T 713-500-4688
MSI/MSII General Information: Yolanda Bell 713-500-5165
MSIII/MSIV Scheduling: Steve Jones 713-500-5158 (including away electives)
Needlesticks: 713-500-OUCH (24/7)
Parking (Students): Matthew Forney 713-500-5116
Police – UT (Campus Police): 713-792-2890
Rec Center (Knight Road): 713-500-8420
Registrar’s Office: 713-500-3388 or 3336 (including name changes)
Research: Dr. Rosenfeld 713-500-7435
Scholarly Concentrations: Dr. Ownby 713-500-5131 & Dr. Rosenfeld 713-500-7435
Security Desk: 713-500-5895
Student Evaluation & Promotion Committee (SEPC): Dr. McDowelle 713-500-5160
Student Health Clinic: 130 UT Prof. Bldg – 713-500-5171; Non-Life Threatening Emergencies Call 713-500-5173
Student Mistreatment: link
Study Skills/Time Management/Learning Style Assessments: Dr. Tuchaai, contact Matthew Forney (713-500-5118) to schedule appointment
Student Organizations: Yolanda Bell 713-500-5165
USMLE: Yolanda Bell 713-500-5165
Verification of Enrollment: Kel Lee Wimberly 713-500-5166
Wellness & Resilience: Hanna “Honey” Ghirmay 713-500-5033

Stress Management

balance-110850_1280

Self-Care through Meditation, Yoga, and Therapeutic Massage

To buttress and to help sustain a palpable culture of wellness while, positioning our students to derive maximum benefit from the wellness initiatives provided in the other components of the program, we would like to offer personal health and self-care services at the medical school for a nominal fee.

Benefits of meditation include increased sense of relations, improved quality of sleep, a clearer and quieter mind, greater emotional well-being, enhanced cognitive ability, and more.

Got meditation? Visit the McGovern Center.

Coping Skills Sessions

Brown bag lunches on anxiety, depression and time management will be offered each semester as will improved third year orientation for the transition into clinical training.

Pet Therapy

Therapy animal programs are becoming more and more popular as the human-animal bond continues to prove physically, physiologically and psychologically beneficial to overall health and wellness of people who participate. While some universities bring dogs in at particularly stressful times for students, such as finals or orientation, others provide animal therapy as a regular part of their service.

We bring registered and insured therapy dogs, provided by one of the Houston area Pet Therapy Service Providers, and accompanied by trained owners, into McGovern Medical School for two hour sessions on three days during finals week and then once monthly during the remainder of the academic year.

The goal of the Pet Therapy program is to help students relax and relieve stress while studying for finals, and to promote health and wellness for students at MMS.

Minimalism

Interested in decreasing clutter and stress? Consider minimalism.

Time Management

Managing your time allows you to regain a sense of control that can be lost when overwhelmed by stress. Need tips to manage your time and prevent stress, click here.

Find the Good

At the end of each day, spend a few minutes identifying 3 good things that happened. This daily activity can cause a change in perspective, growing your general appreciation of life’s happenings and minimizing temptations to focus on the negative. With an optimistic outlook, we are empowered to face and manage existing stress elements with a greater fortitude. #AttitudeOfGratitude

Student W&R Committee

The Student Wellness and Resilience (W&R) Committee is an assembly of students representing all four years united to promote health and well-being at McGovern. This committee convenes regularly to develop, enhance, and implement various wellness initiatives; below are some highlights.

Emergency Preparedness Guides
Resources prepared by students to support students:

Fall Wellness Fair
An annual event with 10 stations featuring flu shots, financial wellness information, relaxation activities, nutrition assessments, fitness challenges, a service project, and more.

#McGovern Kindness
A hash-tag initiative that sparks friendly competition among McGovern Societies via donation drives, social media posts, and random acts of kindness.

McGovern Societies Review Team
A subcommittee charged to evaluate the effectiveness of McGovern Societies – the clinical faculty-led advisory groups that emphasize wellness and career preparation.

Spring Wellness Week
A lunch-and-learn series which includes presentations from a sleep specialist and health coach, along with interactive sessions that include stress-relief activities, a service project, and Zumba!

Social Media
Fitness, nutrition, and stress-relief strategies are disseminated to the student body through social media. Additionally, social media serves as a conduit to share the #HumansofMcGovern project which introduces and connects members of the McGovern family with the objective of fostering a greater sense of community. Visit us on Facebook and Instagram for inspired wellness related content!

The Well
A monthly newsletter that serves to positively impact the well-being of the McGovern student community by highlighting a myriad of wellness-related content.

January 2018: The Well 2018.01
February 2018: The Well 2018.02
March 2018: The Well 2018.03
April 2018: The Well 2018.04
May 2018: The Well 2018.05
September 2018
October 2018
November 2018
December 2018

Upcoming Events

Specialty House Calls – Spring 2018

Swing by the leather lounge and get to know our faculty and/or resident physicians during our weekly Specialty House Calls. This spring we are featuring Anesthesiology, Cardiovascular Surgery, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Neurological Surgery, Neurology & Child Neurology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Radiology in the Leather Lounge.

An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an operation, obstetric, or diagnostic procedure. It is the anesthesiologist’s foremost purpose and concern to protect the patient’s well-being and safety just prior to, during, and after surgery. Anesthesiologists have many responsibilities: preoperative evaluation of patients to determine conditions that may complicate surgery; management of pain and emotional stress during surgical, obstetrical, and medical procedures; provision of life support under the stress of anesthesia and surgery; immediate postoperative care of the patient; and knowledge of drugs and their interactions with anesthetic agents. Their functions also include long-standing and cancer pain management; management of problems in cardiac and respiratory resuscitation; application of specific methods of inhalation therapy; and emergency clinical management of various fluid, electrolyte, and metabolic disturbances.

To explore Anesthesiology in greater detail, please visit the specialty page on the Careers in Medicine website—requires AAMC login to view full profile. https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/us/336834/anesthesiology.html

A thoracic surgeon provides the operative, perioperative care, and critical care of patients with pathologic conditions within the chest. Included is the surgical care of coronary artery disease, cancers of the lung, esophagus and chest wall, abnormalities of the trachea, abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves, congenital anomalies, tumors of the mediastinum, and diseases of the diaphragm. The management of the airway and injuries of the chest is within the scope of the specialty. A general thoracic surgeon treats emphysema, swallowing problems, and gastroesophageal reflux. A congenital heart surgeon performs surgical corrections of heart defects and furnishes cardiovascular support to infants and children. Any of these subspecialists may perform heart, lung, and combined heart-lung transplantations. Thoracic surgeons have the knowledge, experience, and technical skills to accurately diagnose, operate upon safely, and effectively manage patients with thoracic diseases of the chest. This requires substantial knowledge of cardiorespiratory physiology and oncology, as well as capability in the use of heart assist devices, management of abnormal heart rhythms and drainage of the chest cavity, respiratory support systems, endoscopy, and invasive and noninvasive diagnostic techniques.

To explore Thoracic Surgery in greater detail, please visit the specialty page on the Careers in Medicine website—requires AAMC login to view full profile. https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/us/341818/thoracic_surgery.html

A dermatologist is trained to diagnose and treat pediatric and adult patients with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, external genitalia, hair and nails, as well as a number of sexually transmitted diseases. The dermatologist has had additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers, melanomas, moles, and other tumors of the skin, the management of contact dermatitis, and other allergic and nonallergic skin disorders, and in the recognition of the skin manifestations of systemic (including internal malignancy) and infectious diseases. Dermatologists have special training in dermatopathology which is the diagnosis of skin diseases including infectious, immunologic, degenerative, and neoplastic–and in the surgical techniques used in dermatology. The care of the dermatology patient may entail both topical and systemic medical therapeutics and a variety of surgical and cosmetic procedures, including excisions, sclerotherapy, laser surgery, liposuction, hair transplants and tissue augmentation therapies, anti-aging treatments, injectable and implantable soft tissue fillers, correction of acne scarring, chemical peeling, vein therapy, skin cancer treatment, and reconstructive flaps and grafts. In addition, dermatologists have a role in the care of normal skin, skin cancer prevention, and sun protection.

To explore Dermatology in greater detail, please visit the specialty page on the Careers in Medicine website—requires AAMC login to view full profile. https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/us/336836/dermatology.html

Internal Medicine-Pediatrics (Med-Peds) training and practice synthesizes the disciplines of both internal medicine and pediatrics. Med-Peds physicians tend to the care of patients throughout their life span. Caring for multiple generations of the same family requires an understanding of family dynamics, epidemiology and the impact of acute or chronic illness at all ages, all in the context of family systems. Med-Peds physicians draw from the knowledge and skills of pediatricians and internists to bring breadth and flexibility in their approach to clinical medicine. This adaptability provides the versatility to follow many paths throughout their career, including patient care as generalist, hospitalist, emergency room physician or subspecialist; research; administration; public health; and education.

To explore Internal Medicine-Pediatrics in greater detail, please visit the specialty page on the Careers in Medicine website—requires AAMC login to view full profile. https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/us/339580/internal_medicine-pediatrics.html

An otolaryngologist surgeon provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients of all ages with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, nose, throat, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems, and related structures of the head and neck. The specialty encompasses cosmetic facial reconstruction, surgery of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck, and the diagnosis and management of allergic, sinus, laryngeal, thyroid, and esophageal disorders. With the exception of visual and eye-related disorders (the province of ophthalmologists) and lesions of the brain (managed by neurologists and neurosurgeons), otolaryngologists treat diseases and lesions above the shoulders–the ears, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems, and the head and neck. Specialists are trained in otology, rhinology, laryngology, allergy, head and neck surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and bronchoesophagology. They also have an understanding of the communication sciences (audiology and speech/language pathology), endocrinology, and neurology.

To explore Otolaryngology in greater detail, please visit the specialty page on the Careers in Medicine website—requires AAMC login to view full profile. https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/us/336856/otolaryngology.html

The discipline of pathology forms the basis of every physician’s thinking about the patient. Modern pathology applies the latest advances in the biological sciences to traditional morphological methods of studying disease. A consulting specialist, the pathologist is truly the doctor’s doctor, with expertise in one or more fields of anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine. A pathologist deals with the causes and nature of disease and contributes to diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment through knowledge gained by the laboratory application of the biologic, chemical, and physical sciences. A pathologist uses information gathered from the microscopic examination of tissue specimens, cells, and body fluids as well as from clinical laboratory tests on body fluids and secretions for the diagnosis, exclusion, and monitoring of disease. Anatomic pathologists usually work in hospitals, investigating the effects of disease on the human body via autopsies and microscopic examination of tissues, cells, and other specimens. Medical laboratory directors are responsible for the sophisticated laboratory tests on samples of tissues or fluids and the quality and accuracy of the tests. The practice of pathology is most often conducted in community hospitals or in academic medical centers, where patient care, diagnostic services, and research go hand in hand. Creation of new knowledge is the lifeblood of pathology and many academic pathologists devote significant time in their career to research.

To explore Pathology in greater detail, please visit the specialty page on the Careers in Medicine website—requires AAMC login to view full profile. https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/us/336858/pathology-anatomic_and_clinical.html

Pediatrics is primarily concerned with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Concerned with more than just the physical well-being, pediatricians are involved with the prevention, early detection, and management of behavioral, developmental, and functional social problems that affect their patients. Depending on the patient’s age, the measurements associated with these parameters can be quite different. A pediatrician deals with biological, social, and environmental influences on the developing child as well as with the impact of disease or dysfunction on development. The pediatrician also interacts with parents or guardians to define the health status of patients and to educate and provide anticipatory guidance about the child’s normal health and growth. Pediatricians can be active at the community level by helping to prevent or solve problems in child health care and be a public advocate for children’s causes. Pediatricians work to reduce infant and child morbidity and mortality, control infectious disease, foster healthy lifestyles, and the day-to-day difficulties of children and adolescents with acute and/or chronic conditions.

To explore Pediatrics in greater detail, please visit the specialty page on the Careers in Medicine website—requires AAMC login to view full profile. https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/us/336860/pediatrics.html

A psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, behavioral, addictive, and emotional disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders, and adjustment disorders. They understand the biological, psychological, and social components of illness. Most psychiatrists use some form of discussion (individual or group therapy, psychoanalysis, or behavior modification) to evaluate and treat problems, in addition to using pharmacological treatments. Psychiatrists generally use a holistic approach, since every aspect of humans affects their psychology. They work with individuals and families who are coping with stress, crises, or other problems. They need to use their entire base of knowledge and values when assisting and treating their patients.

To explore Psychiatry in greater detail, please visit the specialty page on the Careers in Medicine website—requires AAMC login to view full profile. https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/us/336868/psychiatry.html

General surgery is a discipline of surgery having a central core of knowledge common to all surgical specialties–anatomy, physiology, metabolism, immunology, nutrition, pathology, wound healing, shock and resuscitation, intensive care, and neoplasia. General surgeons are trained to manage a broad spectrum of diseases and injuries affecting almost any area of the body that requires surgical intervention. These physicians are involved in diagnosis, preoperative, operative and postoperative care of the surgical patient, and they are trained to provide comprehensive management of trauma and complete care of critically ill patients with underlying surgical conditions. The surgeon uses a variety of diagnostic techniques, including endoscopy, for observing internal structures, and may use specialized instruments during operative procedures. Although its scope is broad, general surgery usually involves the abdomen, breasts, peripheral vasculature, skin, and neck. General surgeons rarely perform neurologic, orthopaedic, thoracic, or urologic procedures, but they should be familiar with other surgical specialties to know when to refer a patient to another specialist. They should possess excellent manual dexterity and make decisions quickly and decisively.

To explore General Surgery in greater detail, please visit the specialty page on the Careers in Medicine website—requires AAMC login to view full profile. https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/us/336874/surgery-general.html

Urology focuses on the medical and surgical treatment of the male genitourinary system, female urinary tract, and the adrenal gland. Urologists treat patients with kidney, ureter, bladder, prostate, urethra, and male genital structure disorders and injuries. They often coordinate care with nephrologists for patients with kidney disease and may perform kidney transplantations. Urologists may also investigate and treat infertility and male sexual dysfunction. Diagnostic procedures are very important for urologists. They use endoscopic, percutaneous, and open surgery to treat congenital and acquired disorders of the reproductive and urinary systems and related structures. These specialists see male and female patients of all ages and work in both hospital and clinic settings. Excellent surgical skills, manual dexterity, and good hand-eye coordination are important to this specialty.

To explore Urology in greater detail, please visit the specialty page on the Careers in Medicine website—requires AAMC login to view full profile. https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/us/336876/urology.html