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Undergraduate Medical Education
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Four years of medical school requires dedication and numerous sacrifices to achieve your ultimate goal. We feel it is important to acknowledge individual accomplishments, observe certain rites of passage and celebrate the achievement of major milestones. The Office of Student Affairs sponsors numerous special events throughout the year to provide guidance for the next step in your journey and…, First Year, Congratulations, you're a medical student! There are a number of events before classes start that are organized for you to get to know your classmates, learn more about the school, explore our great city and learn what to expect over the next four years. These events culminate with a White Coat ceremony where you are officially welcomed into the medical profession., Welcome Weekend (May), An initial opportunity to meet your classmates and enjoy a day full of activities and information on housing, roommates, the curriculum, financial aid, student life, student organizations, and socializing., White Coat Ceremony (July), School of Medicine faculty will greet you as you enter the medical profession. Each student receives a white coat as a concrete symbol of your new professional role. The White Coat Ceremony was initially conceived by Dr. Arnold P. Gold, a faculty member at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and today many medical schools host similar ceremonies., Orientation (July), This is the final opportunity for students to complete administrative tasks and requirements, i.e. textbooks, laptop check, ID badge, health insurance, passwords, etc. before classes officially start. , Second Year, Way to go, you survived your first year of medical school! Keep up the hard work, this year you will be ready to take your first step exam., Student Clinician Ceremony (February), The ceremony marks the transition from the traditional classroom learning environment into the clinical setting , Third Year, Finally, you get to see patients and put all that hard work to use., Career Month (January), Students will receive early exposure to CV and personal statement preparation, ERAS and supplemental application guidance, and applying for away rotations. Additionally, Faculty from a variety of specialties gather to meet with students individually and answer questions about applying to residency programs, career satisfaction, etc. , Fourth Year, Believe it or not, it is now time to apply to residency programs. The later half of this year is filled with many wonderful events to prepare you for the next step of your career and to celebrate the exciting end of your four-year academic journey., Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), National Medical Honor Society induction ceremony (March), Alpha Omega Alpha — dedicated to the belief that in the profession of medicine we will improve care for all by recognizing high educational achievement; honoring gifted teaching, encouraging the development of leaders in academia and the community, supporting the ideals of humanism, and promoting service to others. , Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) induction ceremony (March), The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) recognizes students, residents and faculty who are exemplars of compassionate patient care and who serve as role models, mentors, and leaders in medicine. GHHS members are peer-nominated and are the ones that others say they want taking care of their own family. , Match Day (March), A dramatic and festive rite of passage where medical students stand on stage in front of their classmates, family, friends and faculty members to open an envelope revealing where they will spend the next few years of their life for residency. Match Day is held in conjunction with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)., Senior Award Dinner (March), Graduating students are honored for exceptional performance and/or service to the school of medicine during a dinner attended by Long School of Medicine faculty and leadership. , Graduation (May), The day you have been working toward arrives! A wonderful event to celebrate an incredible achievement. Family, friends and loved ones attend a formal ceremony where your Doctor of Medicine degree is awarded.
Undergraduate Medical Education
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Get involved, challenge yourself, engage with people who have different perspectives and connect with fellow students and faculty. There are numerous ways to enhance your medical school experience through participation in student organizations, committee service, special programs, community service and leadership opportunities. Student involvement is essential to the success of the Long School…, Special Interest Groups, There is a special interest group for nearly every group or area of interest. For a full list of special interest groups, visit the Student Life website for a full list of groups and activities. If you have an interest or group that is not listed, we have resources that can help you get it started. , Leadership & Mentoring, Students leaders have a role in shaping the present and future of our medical school through student government and or service on standing committees and councils, like the Medical Student Council . Students also serve as peer mentors through Veritas , the student advising system. , Community Service and Outreach, Our students serve local communities in San Antonio and South Texas, as well as providing care to individuals around the world through programs sponsored by the Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics. Complete list of programs
Student Wellness
Emotional Wellness: Your attitude towards life and your ability to adapt to your environment, interact with others, and cope with stress. Emotional Intelligence: Your ability to identify, express, and use your emotions to promote personal growth. Emotional Regulation: Your ability to influence your emotions, when and how you experience them., Nine Characteristics of Emotionally Healthy People, Self-awareness: The ability to reflect and redirect emotions to manage distress or elation., Be objective. When you separate yourself from your emotions, you may see things more clearly. To keep a healthy boundary between you and your emotions, remind yourself that you are not your emotions, they do not dictate your behavior, and you can feel emotions without becoming them. Practice reflection. Use the Self-Reflection Guide for Medical Students !, Self-acceptance: The ability to accept yourself as you are., Accept your emotions and vulnerability. It can be difficult to face and process difficult emotions, especially if they are not considered socially acceptable. Instead of letting your emotions bubble and eventually boil over, decide to acknowledge, and feel them. Without accepting vulnerability, you can never truly come to know yourself or let yourself be known by others., Self-care: The ability to care for your health and wellbeing., Use the eight dimensions of wellness domains to explore the self-care strategies that provide you the most value. Physical Wellness: Eat healthy, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, practice good hygiene, and maintain good posture. Emotional Wellness: Find ways to be mindful, practice relaxation, and challenge negative thinking. Financial Wellness: Determine your short- and long-term financial…, Emotional agility: The ability to remain curious and maintain an open mind when faced with setbacks., Identify and understand your emotional triggers. Label your thoughts and feelings Own your emotions Act in ways that support your values, Coping skills: The practice of strengthening stress-response strategies when you are calm and in control. This way, you can access those strategies more easily when in distress. Popular healthy coping skills:, Practicing focused breathing Engaging in hobbies that bring you happiness Exercising Connecting with nature Exploring the arts (Music, art, literature, etc.) Prioritizing quality sleep Engaging in reflection or prayer, Kindness and integrity: The ability to interact with others with genuine curiosity and compassion., Practice kindness. One of the quickest and easiest ways to provide yourself with a boost of good feelings is to do something kind for someone else. Thinking about that act of kindness at the end of the day will allow you to relive that good feeling. Try a loving-kindness meditation ., Living with purpose: The ability to use one’s inner experiences to serve others and focus on the bigger picture., Check out the Self-Reflection Guide for Medical Students and connect with the values most important to you. Regularly check in with yourself and ensure your actions align with your values. When faced with fear, trust in yourself and what you believe in., Manages stress: The regular practice of serenity and being able to remain calm when things get hard., How you manage stress is unique to you. As humans, we need some stress. Some stress keeps you alert and driven. It is not about eliminating all stress; it is about remaining at optimal stress levels where you are focused and motivated. , Resources to Help Understand your Emotional Landscape, Recommended TedTalks: How To Talk about Your Feelings TedTalk Playlist Guy Winch. Why we all need to practice emotional first aid. Susan David. The gift and power of emotional courage. Brené Brown. The power of vulnerability. Sangu Delle. There’s no shame in taking care of your mental health Mandy Len Catron. A better way to talk about love Nikki Webber Allen. Don’t suffer from your depression in…
Undergraduate Medical Education
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
What does a doctor do?, A doctor is a person who knows how to help you stay healthy and how to help you get better when you are sick or hurt. When you visit the doctor, he or she will give you a checkup, also called a physical examination, to make sure you are healthy and that you are growing and developing the way you should. The doctor will listen to your heart and lungs; check your eyes, ears, and throat; and make…, What do doctors use?, Stethoscope, The doctor uses a stethoscope (steth-o-scope) to listen to your heart and lungs and make sure they are healthy. He or she will place a small metal circle, called a bell, against your chest, at the spot where you can feel your heart beating. This special bell does not make noise. It allows the doctor to listen carefully to your heartbeat and your breathing. Sounds travel from the bell, through a…, Tongue Depressor, A tongue depressor (di-press-er) is a smooth, wooden, flat stick—like a big Popsicle® stick. It helps the doctor keep your tongue out of the way so he or she can see inside your mouth and throat. While you stick out your tongue and say “aaahhh,” the doctor presses your tongue down with the stick and looks into your throat. Although tongue depressors usually do not taste bad, some doctors use…, Knee Percussor, The knee percussor (per-kuhs-er) looks like a little hammer. It has a small shiny handle with a rubber triangle at one end. The doctor uses this instrument to test your reflexes and make sure that the nerves that control your muscles are healthy. While you sit up straight, he or she will tap a special place on your knee with the rubber triangle. The tap will cause your leg to kick straight out…, Blood Pressure Cuff, The doctor or nurse checks your blood pressure using a blood pressure cuff. This tool measures how hard your heart is pumping blood through your body. The doctor or nurse wraps the cuff around your arm and connects the cuff to a small rubber pump that he or she holds in his or her hand. When the pump is squeezed, air goes into the cuff and makes it tighten on your arm. Even though the blood…, Coloring Pages, Medical students are encouraged to exercise their creativity and talents during medical school. Studies show that creative activities such as drawing, painting, music, and dancing sharpen critical thinking skills and encourages new ideas. Here are a few coloring pages!
Undergraduate Medical Education
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Your son or daughter has worked so hard to get here. They have spent countless hours preparing for the MCAT and writing draft after draft of their admission essays. You’ve seen them at their highest and their lowest throughout this journey. You are proud of their accomplishments and are ready to support them in this journey! But how? With student approval, you can receive our monthly newsletter…
Undergraduate Medical Education
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Our partners often know us better than we know ourselves and support us no matter what. A medical student’s decision to enter medical school was likely a joint decision for the couple. We recognize that being a part of the medical school journey may take some adjustment for spouses and partners as well, and we are here to support you! Change up date night and incorporate ways to work out together…