Alumni

The central goal of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is to train leaders in academic medicine. Our program is based on solid clinical and research training and is designed to foster the development of independent physician scientists. We provide students with an integrated curriculum comprising a strong core education in medicine and intensive training in scientific inquiry. Successful completion of the program leads to both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees.

The most important outcome of a training program is the success of its graduates. As of December 2017, 267 students have completed the MD/PhD program at Vanderbilt. Eighty-four are in residency or fellowship training, 183 have established careers following training. Of the 183 graduates with active careers, 108 (59%) are in academic positions (26 full professors, 32 associate professors, 42 assistant professors, and 8 instructors), 20 (11%) in private-sector or government research, and 55 (30%) are in clinical practice. The 84 graduates still in training are at excellent institutions. Three of our Vanderbilt institutional leaders, Dr. Jeff Balser, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Dr. Sam Santoro, Chair of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, and Dr. Christopher Williams, Director, Medical Scientist Training Program, are graduates of the Vanderbilt MSTP. We also have a number of graduates in key leadership positions in other academic medical settings and research across the country.