1. Introduction to Medical Student LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Robert L. Ruberg, MD
Professor of Surgery
Director, Learning Communities
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2. Overall Goals of Learning Community Program
Provide a safe, longitudinal educational environment for active learning that exists for the duration of the medical school experience.
Foster respect for the value of divergent talents, opinions and personalities.
Instill in students and faculty the responsibility for the success of the whole, not just the individual.
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3. Sub Goals for Students
Provide opportunities for closer relationships among students and faculty.
Increase the connectivity between students within each class and across the four+ years of medical school.
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4. Sub Goals for Students Strengthen advising and mentoring
Both faculty and student-to-student
Expand on the type of physician skills taught and reinforced
Develop skills in leadership and multidisciplinary teamwork.
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5. Format
Groups of 12 students (2 anatomy tables) assigned to a specially selected faculty volunteer
Meet monthly during Med I and Med II; less frequently in Med III and Med IV
First meeting: Day 2 of Medical School!
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6. Format Site and time to be determined by the group and its Leader
Topic for discussion to be determined by the group and its Leader (Library of topics and references available on Carmen)
Occasional guest speakers
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7. Details Attendance: Mandatory Grading: None
COMING SOON: Organization of multiple communities into Learning Societies representing all four years of the Medical School
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8. Details Program started with Med I class 9/07
Now: Fully implemented Med I to Med IV
Total: 76 Learning Communities
Faculty volunteers from every department
Eleven faculty volunteers now do more than one Learning Community
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9. Questions?
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