Women’s Health Scholarly Concentration

Director:

Aya Mohr-Sasson, MD

Administrative coordinator:

Anna Martinez

Mission

To provide highly motivated students interested in Women’s Health with an enriching longitudinal educational curriculum and the opportunity to explore a specific area of interest through a mentored scholarly project. Students will obtain an increased awareness of the unique factors and societal importance of the intersection between women and health care. Students should be prepared to make clinical, academic, and research contributions to the broader world of women’s health.

Maximum number of students/year: 5

Student selection process

Student applications, including an essay, will be reviewed by the course director. Students will be selected based on their prior experiences, stated interests in women’s health, and the availability of faculty mentors to provide mentorship aligned with student interests.

Students will be required to complete a well-rounded curriculum to include Blue Book Sessions, reading of peer-reviewed journal articles, participation in student interest groups, and attendance in journal club. Students will also be required to shadow faculty members and take electives/selectives in relevant fields. Student will be encouraged to attend conferences, complete online modules, participate in lecture series, and join advocacy groups & volunteer organizations.

Timeline (year by year) for student completion of concentration requirements:

MS1

Required:

• Application and acceptance into program, including essay
• Identify a project mentor
• Submit project proposal
• Participate in Women’s Health Elective Blue Book
• Join and participate in one or more interest groups associated with women’s health or advocacy: OGSA, AMWA, LGBTQ+ Health, Med Students for Choice
• Participate in introductory meeting
• Read required articles

Optional:

• Participate in Blue Book Electives: Gun Violence & Physicians, Health Professions Against Interpersonal Violence, Health Professionals Against Human Trafficking, LGBTV+: Sexuality and Gender in the Age of Media, Reproductive Health and Choice, Hot Topics in Ethics
• Apply for Summer Research Program

MS2

Required:

• Continue planning project with mentor, complete the mentorship agreement form
• Complete Reproductive Module
• Complete 16 hours of clinical shadowing, volunteering, or women’s related community outreach (must be completed prior to required clerkship and clinical electives)
• Engage in women’s health advocacy/identify an organization to follow and get involved with longitudinally.
• Attend three of the 4 quarterly journal clubs
• Participate in Women’s Health Elective Blue Book (waive if completed in MS1)

Optional:

• Participate Blue Book Electives: Gun Violence & Physicians, Health Professions Against Interpersonal Violence, Health Professionals Against Human Trafficking, LGBTV+: Sexuality and Gender in the Age of Media, Reproductive Health and Choice, Hot Topics in Ethics
• Present at journal club

MS3

Required:

• Plan and execute project with mentor
• Complete reflective essay on clinical experiences during various clerkships with a focus on women’s health
• Continue participation in quarterly journal club

Optional:

• Present at journal club

MS4

Required:

• Complete project and compose written description in a publishable form
• Participate in quarterly journal club (attend at least 1 meeting, presentation optional)
• Reflective Essay about experiences in chosen specialty with a focus on women’s health topic
• Complete at least two elective/selective courses in Psychiatry or related discipline
• Present poster project at FROG (Former Residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology)
• Complete evaluation of Women’s Health Scholarly Concentration

Optional:

• Co-facilitate a PBL case in spring (Repro, MSK)

** This is not an exclusive list. Please approach potential mentors from our institution as well as other institutions and if help is needed reach out to the director of the concentration for assistance.