Mentorship, Advising, and Coaching
Our personalized medical curriculum means you have a lot of agency and initiative in your own medical education— but that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.
Here are just a few of the host of physician leaders and mentors who will be there to support, encourage, and cheer you on your medical journey:
College Mentors
Who? The two dedicated faculty members leading your advisory college.
When? M1 through M4. Drop by weekly office hours and study breaks, connect at college-wide events, or set up a time to meet individually whenever needed.
What? Your college mentors are always ready to lend a friendly listening ear to talk about wellness, career questions, current events, and medical school progress.
Meet a College Mentor: Ban Allos, MD
Dr. Allos has been in the College system since its inception in 2006, guiding students each step of the way by growing meaningful relationships, offering career wisdom, and cultivating wellness.
She greets Gabbe College students on Day 1 and walks with them on their medical journeys. Though medical school ends, Dr. Allos’ relationships with former students does not as they become colleagues in medicine and health care.
And, no matter which advisory college you’re matched with, Dr. Allos would love to talk with you about public health, infectious diseases, culturally diverse experiences within VUSM, and internal and preventative medicine.
Portfolio Coaches
Who? A trained and dedicated faculty member assigned to you.
When? M1 through M4. Meet together regularly throughout your four years.
What? Assists you in becoming an expert learner by developing the capacity to critically appraise your own performance data and translate that data into an action plan for future learning.
Meet a Portfolio Coach: Eiman Jahangir, MD, MPH
Dr. Jahangir has been a Portfolio Coach since 2020, helping students navigate their classes, clerkships and beyond. He develops meaningful relationships with students over the 4 years of their medical school and provides advice and guidance as needed. By drawing on his experience as a physician and educator, he helps each student develop the learning goals they need to succeed. By developing learning goals, students excel both in medical school and beyond.
Dr. Jahangir enjoys getting to know each of his trainees and enjoys watching each student go from trainee to colleague. Beyond Coaching, Dr. Jahangir loves to discuss Cardiology and medical education as a career choice.
Clinical Preceptors
Who? The clinical supervisor on your FHD1 clinical site.
When? M1 year, one afternoon a week during your Continuity Clinical Experience course
What? Your preceptor welcomes you in to become an integral part of the clinical team at your FHD1 site. They’ll help you better understand the systems of care at work around you and challenge you to take on increasing responsibility.
Master Clinical Teachers
Who? Experienced clinicians specially trained to provide one-on-one instruction in your M2 clerkships.
When? M2, every 2 to 3 weeks during each of the 6 core clerkships.
What? The MCT from your current clerkship will observe you perform a history and physical exam. Then, they’ll give you immediate feedback and discuss your differential diagnosis and diagnostic plans for the patient. These one-on-one sessions will show you your strengths and weaknesses in clinical skills.
Meet a Master Clinical Teacher: Merranda Holmes, MD
As an MCT for Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, Dr. Holmes draws every day on her experience studying adverse childhood experiences and working with vulnerable populations.
In MCT sessions with her, you’ll grasp the importance of psychosocial barriers in helping patients achieve their desired health outcomes.
What’s more, you’ll learn to think on your feet and adapt your differential diagnosis when a clinical case is not going quite as you expect.
Research Directors
Who? Content experts from diverse areas of medical and basic sciences research.
When? M1 through M4, during the research curriculum.
What? Work with your research directors to identify and select a research area of interest and a mentor to partner with for your 3- to 6-month research project during Immersion.
Specialty Advisors
Who? A faculty member of your choosing from your prospective specialty.
When? M3 and M4, especially throughout the residency application and Match cycles.
What? Bring all your career questions to your specialty advisor. They’ll help you strategically schedule your applications and interviews, plus give you interviewing advice for your chosen specialty— all in the service of helping you achieve a successful residency match.
Through all four of your years here, this amazing network of faculty will push you to excel in medical knowledge, professional development, and preparation for future leadership.