New medical student Sara Horvitz meets Dean Steven G. Gabbe, M.D., during the School of Medicine's first-year orientation breakfast on Monday. Photo by Anne Rayner
Class of 2008 learns the ropes of medical school
First-year medical students, from left, Rebecca Lawniczak, Gerard Jenkins, Sutin Chen, Walter Jermakowicz, Erin McArdle, and Ali Hanson, met each other at a breakfast on Monday, which began the orientation week's activities. Photo by Anne Rayner
After a weeklong introduction to the core skills, values and attitudes of the medical profession, members of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Class of 2008 will receive their white coats at the convocation ceremony this afternoon.
This was the first year orientation has spanned an entire week, and the first time white coats were given out at the end of the week, as opposed to the beginning.
“We wanted to introduce important topics that will be revisited throughout their time here, and give them a notion of the upcoming challenge and the real meaning of what they are a part of, before they accept their white coat,” said Bonnie Miller, M.D., associate dean for Medical Students.
After Monday’s breakfast, Steven G. Gabbe, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine, welcomed the class, providing a history of the medical school, noting the accomplishments of the faculty, and holding a moment of silence for Roscoe R. Robinson, M.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs, Emeritus, who passed away Saturday. Then, the weeklong session began with each of the 106 students standing as they were introduced to their classmates by Harold Helderman, M.D., chair of the Committee on Admissions.
“Like their predecessors, the 128th class to enter the medical school is a remarkable group of students,” Gabbe said. “After thousands of hours recruiting and selecting them, it’s exciting to see these students in the flesh. They come from 38 different states, seven foreign countries, and 57 universities — including 15 students from Vanderbilt. All of our faculty members look forward to participating in their transformation to physicians who will lead our field in the future.”
As the presentations began, the first-year students learned about the core skills of the physician: professionalism and what it truly means; empathy and understanding the patient’s experience; diversity and the meaning of cultural competency; physician and student wellness; life-long learning and using evidence-based medicine.
“There’s more to master here than just a body of knowledge,” Miller told the students. “As a medical school, a professional school, we must help you learn the skills and attitudes necessary for the wise and successful practice of medicine. As members of the profession, you will have greater obligations and responsibilities than simply knowing the information.”
First-year student Mario Nieto said learning more than just medicine is an essential element of medical education.
“I think gaining an understanding of culture, society and emotions are important — it can’t be just science,” he said. “From what we’ve seen so far, I think Vanderbilt will do a great job of this.”
Jennifer Gloeckner, also a first-year student, agreed.
“Incorporating these other elements is how we create progressive medicine.
“I’m glad Vanderbilt is not ignoring that we need to be taught this, that they are attentive to these needs.”
The week of events also included a picnic at Gabbe’s home, small group discussions, lunch with faculty members, an overview of the four years of medical school, pairing up with student advisors, as well as a small group activity during which students could ask faculty members about their careers and achieving balance in their lives.