Scholarly Concentration in Trauma


January 16, 2026

Co-Directors:
Charles Cox, MD
Lillian Kao, MD

Program Coordinator:  Heidi Draehn  ([email protected])

Maximum Number of Students per Year: 4-6

Overview

Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death in the ages of one to forty-five, and the leading cause of loss of life expectancy.  Trauma also represents a major economic burden with an estimated cost of $670 billion per year in health care and lost productivity.  The care of the patients with traumatic injuries encompasses all aspects of medicine.

Purpose/Goals

The Trauma Scholarly Concentration Program’s overall goal is to enrich the experience of medical students through learning, and scholarly activities, specific to the interdisciplinary health-related topic of trauma during years 1-4.

  • Complement and enhance the student’s required curriculum
  • Provide role models, mentorship, and guidance for students’ academic and personal development
  • Increase interdisciplinary interactions
  • Provide a longitudinal educational experience through structured and experiential learning activities
  • Support student leadership

Program activities encourage the student’s acquisition of expertise in an interdisciplinary, health-related area, the development of critical thinking and analytical skills, the improvement of oral and written communication skills, the enrichment of self-directed learning skills, and the production of scholarly products.

Application Guidelines for the Trauma Scholarly Concentration

Students interested in the concentration are required to complete the Medical School’s Summer Research Program (SRP) the summer after MS1.  To be considered for the concentration, you must apply to SRP in time to compete for dean’s funds. (As described below, in exceptional cases, equivalent research experiences can be acceptable with approval of the program directors.)  The SRP is separate from the scholarly concentration program and has its own application, but the SRP project provides the basis for the activities in the trauma concentration.  Visit the Summer Research Program website for current information and its application deadline.

In some unusual cases, students may apply and be accepted into the trauma concentration on the basis of a research project that they organize (with a mentor) and conduct separately from the SRP.  Please contact the program coordinator of the trauma concentration if you are unable to participate in the SRP and are thinking of an independent research project.  If you are interested in the trauma concentration, you will need to discuss your research plan or interests with the program coordinator as early as you can before you apply.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the trauma concentration application is February 28Trauma Concentration Application

Overview of the Application

Be sure to answer all sections, or the application will be returned to you for completion.  You will need to describe your background, experiences, and interest in trauma.  You will also be asked to explain how your participation in the concentration fits in with your goals for medical school and the future. You will need to tell us who your mentor will be.

Student Selection Process

The trauma concentration co-directors will review applications, following an initial screening by the Office of Educational Programs.  Applicants will receive a notice of the decision through the online system, within the first half of March. Only students in good academic standing will be admitted.

Trauma Concentration Requirements (Didactic and Experiential)

Year 1

  • Identify a mentor in your area of interest, plan summer research project, and submit proposal in time to compete for dean’s funds
  • Perform summer research project with mentor between Year 1 and 2
  • During the summer, attend Surgery Grand Rounds, M&M, and Trauma Injury Meeting
  • Attend lab meetings & seminars as required by your mentor and area of focus
  • Optional – “Shadow” your mentor or other clinicians

Year 2

  • Continue research with your mentor
  • Formulate a curriculum of study for MS3 and MS4 electives
  • Attend lab meetings, seminars, etc. as required by your mentor and area of focus
  • Join a scientific society (as a student) in your area of interest
  • Attend and/or present research at a regional or national meeting (YR 2 or 3)
  • Present research at McGovern Surgery Research Day – not required, but encouraged for presentation practice

Year 3

  • Continue research with your mentor
  • Continue the individual curriculum of study – electives
  • Attend lab meetings, seminars, etc. as required by your mentor and area of focus
  • Present research at a regional or national meeting (YR 2 or 3)
  • Clinical rotations – identify where trauma occurs within that specialty and how you proceed
  • Elective should be in an area that has a trauma focus

Year 4

  • Electives should be in areas that have a trauma focus
  • Attend lab meetings, seminars, etc. as required by your mentor and area of focus
  • Present final research project orally during an Injury Meeting
  • Submit publication to a peer reviewed journal

Suggested Didactic Courses

The interests of the student and the advice of the individual’s mentor and advisory committee will determine the specific courses for each student.

GS211161 – Critical Thinking in Science: Mattox, William

These classes and several others are offered by the Center for Clinical Research & Evidence-Based Medicine at the Medical School under the direction of Dr. J. Tyson.

Additional classes of interest are available through the Center for Surgical Trials and Evidence-Based Practice (C-STEP) program.

https://med.uth.edu/pediatricsurgery/research/research-centers-and-programs/cstep/

 

Scholarly Concentration Faculty Mentors

Faculty NameContribution to ConcentrationDepartment
Charles S. Cox, MDCo-Director, Project MentorPediatric Surgery
Lillian S. Kao, MDCo-Director, Project MentorAcute Care Surgery
Bryan A. Cotton, MDProject MentorAcute Care Surgery
John A. Harvin, MDProject MentorAcute Care Surgery
David E. Meyer, MDProject MentorAcute Care Surgery
Michael W. Wandling, MDProject MentorAcute Care Surgery
Christopher T. Stephens, MDProject MentorAnesthesiology
Huimahn A. Choi, MDProject MentorNeurosurgery
Ryan S. Kitagawa, MDProject MentorNeurosurgery
Georgene W. Hergenroeder, PhDProject MentorNeurosurgery
John R. Williams, MDProject MentorNeurosurgery
Catherine G. Ambrose, PhDProject MentorOrthopedic Surgery
Jonathan Eastman, MDProject MentorOrthopedic Surgery
Stephen J. Warner, MD, PhDProject MentorOrthopedic Surgery
Mary E. Aitken, MD, MPHProject MentorPediatrics
Gerard E. Francisco, MDProject MentorPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Joy M. Schmitz, PhDProject MentorPsychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Jin H. Yoon, PhDProject MentorPsychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Brijesh S. Gill, MDProject MentorSurgery