Office of Medical Education

NOvember 23, 2024 Issue

The WeeklyWire is an official communication tool of the Larner College of Medicine. Student feedback led to its development and continues to inform iterative improvements. All non-curriculum-related email communications are directed through The WeeklyWire to help support manageable email inboxes for our students; it's a one-stop-shop for all med school happenings outside of the classroom!

Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Medical Education with any questions.

Weekly Wire Archives

Resource Links for Students

WeeklyWire 11/23/2024

Happy Friday! And Happy Thanksgiving Week. I am grateful for all of you and the wonderful physicians you are becoming. 
Note, we will not have a weekly wire next week but will be back in December. 
Enjoy some time off 😊 kg

FOR ALL MEDICAL STUDENTS

Community Connections 

• Survey for Student Health Insurance: Dean Zehle, Dean George, and the Wellbeing Office are interested in learning more about your thoughts about your health insurance. Please complete this quick survey (3- 5 minutes) to help us better understand your experience! If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Leigh Ann Holterman. 
• Quarterly MSST Meet - Don't be "Chile" this winter season! Outside Given N101, in Given Courtyard, 12/2 12-1PM. Join your Medical Student Services Team (MSST) lunch and social time prior to sending many of you off on winter break. You will not be “Chile” while enjoying homemade warm burrrr-itos (or tacos) from one of our many local BIPOC-owned businesses, Chile Colorado. Burritos (and tacos for our GF buddies) will be available while supplies last. Read More here.. During the event, members of MSST and other student services partners will be on hand to meet you and answer any questions you have. However, you are also always welcome to smile, wave, and grab-and-go.  More tips for staying warm and safe during the winter season can be found on the UVM Safety & Security Tips webpage (scroll to the bottom)…
• UVM LCOM-VT Campus Parking - Temp Holiday/Break Perks! : 11/25-11/29, 12/16-01/12 If you have a UVM Parking Pass, you can park in most lots regardless of pass type, during these dates. Please be sure to review the full announcement to avoid confusion (/tickets) ... UVM Transportation & Parking Services 
• HemOnc Grand Rounds, Dr. Maija Reblin: 12/3/24, 8 AM - 9 AM - HSRF 200. Title of talk - "Caregiver Needs in Vermont". Dr. Reblin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine in the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and the Cancer Population Sciences Program Co-Leader at the University of Vermont Cancer Center. Trained as a social and health psychologist, her research focuses on understanding the social context of family caregivers of those with serious illness and using this knowledge to develop strengths-based interventions. Dr. Reblin has over 140 peer-reviewed publications and her research has been funded by the American Cancer Society, the National Institutes of Health, and the State of Vermont. For more details contact Whitney Feininger, admin Hematology/Oncology Division. 
• AHEC Spotlight Series: Addiction Medicine: 12/ 4, 2024; 12-1 p.m.; MedEd 200/Sullivan Classroom Co-Sponsored by the Family Medicine Interest Group. Please join this engaging panel conversation to learn more about community-based addiction medicine services. Panelists include Jess Kirby, Director of Client Services at Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform (VCJR) Caroline Butler, NP-C, The Johnson Health Center and VCJR Heather Stein, MD, Community Health Centers. For More Information about AHEC's Spotlight Series: For more details contact Jennifer Gaudreau, CPRP, Physician Placement Professional UVM Larner COM/Office of Primary Care and AHEC Program 
• LMSA & Wellness Committee Event: 12/6/2024,12-1pm, HSRF 300. Collaborative event aimed at demonstrating healthy eating habits and foods, with an emphasis on Latinx populations and incidences of diet-related diseases. For details contact Jaime A Rodriguez. 
• Vermont Medical Society – Legislative Agenda Information Session: 12/6, 12-1pm, HSRF 200. Members of the Vermont Medical Society will join this hybrid lunchtime event to discuss the agenda for the upcoming legislative session and opportunities for student involvement. For more details contact Raihan Kabir 
• UVM Data and Open Science Summit :1/7-1/ 8 (8am-4pm), 1/9 (9am-12pm), Patrick Leahy Building and Given Medical Complex. Explore topics such as data analysis, visualization, research communication, open science, and more with speakers from NASA, VERSO, UVM Libraries, and across campus. Registration is free and lunch is provided each day. We are accepting registrants until December 13. For more details contact Faith Morgan, Communications Manager in the Libraries Dean's Office. 

Career Counseling Opportunities

• Monthly Student Education Committee (SEC) Meeting: 12/3, 5:30-7:30 pm, Zoom Fully Remote. The Student Education Committee is comprised of students dedicated to and actively involved in the improvement of the medical school curriculum. Representatives from each class meet once a month with the Interim Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education, Dr. Christa Zehle, to discuss a variety of issues pertaining to the student experience within the Vermont Integrated Curriculum (VIC). The group’s responsibility is to act as a liaison with faculty to provide a unified student point of view, and to appropriately bring pertinent educational issues to the attention of faculty and course directors. SEC is charged with reviewing course evaluations written by students at the close of each Foundations course and presenting that data to the Foundations Committee, which oversees the pre-clinical portion of the curriculum. For details contact Delaney Sztraicher. 

Research Opportunities

• StoweEM25 Stowe Emergency Medicine Conference: The Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships invites you to complete a brief survey for a chance to receive a scholarship to attend the Stowe Emergency Medicine Conference, supporting your professional development. This opportunity aligns with our commitment to strengthening Vermont's rural communities through continued learning and growth. Please check the flyer for the program. No research necessary. 
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP): Deadline 12/2 for M2’s, M3’s and M4’s. Interested students can access the application from our NIH MRSP Website.  Applications must be fully submitted, and all supporting documents must be received by 5:00PM (EST) on Monday, December 2^nd. For any questions or concerns, reach out to our team at mrsp@mail.nih.gov. Read more here… 
• Vermont’s Annual Brain Injury Conference: hosted by the Brain Injury Alliance of Vermont is coming up on December 9, 10, 11th.  This year we are virtual on the GoTo platform allowing attendees to have a more flexible schedule and choose the speakers they would like to hear. We are offering this event FREE to students, and they will receive a certificate for contact hours as well. Registration is required. To read more about the speaker, follow the link. For more info, contact Aleshia Doyon. 
• National Survey for Medical Student Parental Accommodations Deadline 11/27. We are two medical students from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University. We are currently conducting an investigation of national trends in accommodations available to medical students who are parents. Read More here… 
•  Galen V. Henderson SEED Program:  (Stimulate Equity, Education, and Diversity (SEED) in Organ Donation and Transplantation) June 2, 2025 to July 25, 2025, Stipend: $6,500. Deadline 12/15/24. This is an 8-week immersive experience where medical students will… 
  • attend weekly seminars, roundtable discussions, and journal club, led by regional and national experts in organ and tissue donation and transplantation
  • observe organ and tissue donor recovery procedures, organ transplant surgery, and organ matching/offers/allocation decisions
  • attend clinical case review and organ utilization meetings
  • interact with transplant patients and organ donor families
  • attend community events with our Multicultural Community Outreach team to increase organ donation awareness
  • complete and present a mentored research project 
  Eligibility: Enrolled at a medical school in New England and interested in learning more about organ donation and transplantation, regardless of future area of specialty. Visit www.neds.org/seed-program/ to learn more about the SEED Program and to apply. For questions, please contact Jim Rodrigue, PhD , Charles Strom, MD, Mark Brevard 

• UVM Data and Open Science Summit :1/7-1/ 8 (8am-4pm), 1/9 (9am-12pm), Patrick Leahy Building and Given Medical Complex. Explore topics such as data analysis, visualization, research communication, open science, and more with speakers from NASA, VERSO, UVM Libraries, and across campus. Registration is free and lunch is provided each day. We are accepting registrants until December 13. For more details contact Faith Morgan, Communications Manager in the Libraries Dean's Office. 

M1 STUDENTS (co2028) 

• Attention M1 co2028 Students: Please be advised that the deadline to become fully compliant with the vaccine requirements in CastleBranch is December 08, 2024. We encourage you to collaborate with the University of Vermont Student Health Services or your primary care provider to ensure that all necessary requirements are completed by this date in order to participate in Doctoring in Vermont, including gaining access to EPIC for electronic health records, and other clinical activities. 
• Careers in Medicine Fall 2024 Specialty Panel Series - Neurology with Dr. Noah Kolb: 12/3, 12-12.50 pm MedEd 200 Sullivan. The goal of this informal session will be to answer any and all questions about Neurology as a specialty choice. Attendings will be on hand to discuss the field in general and to describe the subspecialty opportunities available. Special attention will also be taken to explain the residency application process and offer specific guidance to best prepare you for navigating that process. Please complete the Panel Session evaluation . Contact Emma Faustner, Advising & Residency Placement Coordinator, with any questions. View the Fall Careers in Medicine Specialty Panels Schedule >> 
• PROSPECT summer research fellowship: All application materials due 1/20, 2025. early exposure and engagement to the field of urology through mentorship, clinical and research experiences, and match coaching. The mission of this program is to increase the number of medical students who select urology as a career choice by early exposure and engagement to the field of urology through mentorship, clinical and research experiences, and match coaching. It is specifically designed for medical students with a demonstrated commitment to research, improving health disparities, and who may not otherwise gain exposure to urology as a specialty in their medical school experience. PROSPECT is a North Central Section (NCS) sponsored program for medical students matriculating at an accredited medical school within the geographical boundaries of the American Urological Association. For more details contact Gabriela Sarriera Valentin, MS4 
• Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute, Center for Injury Research and Policy Summer 2025 Internship Opportunity for M1s: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Research Institute, in the Center for Injury Research and Policy, located in Columbus, Ohio Director, Dr. Gary Smith, reached out to Larner. They are interested in sharing information about a 2025 summer internship opportunity with first-year medical students. This fully remote internship is designed to introduce students to the field of injury research and prevention. Dr. Smith aims to expand access to this program. See link for more information. Additional contact information: Sydney.Gerber@nationwidechildrens.org 
• Your input on your current "sense of belonging" and "sense of community" at UVM: Program directors for the FAM (Finding Affinity and Mentorship) program health professions students are requesting your help on your current "sense of belonging" and "sense of community" at UVM. The results of this survey will help inform future programming towards enhancing the sense of community for students at UVM. For more info, visit this link. We greatly appreciate your help with this endeavor. You can access the survey here. Anthony Williams, MD and Sarah Manacek, RN 

M2 STUDENTS (co2027) 

• New Step 1 Peer Support Group Series:12/05 and 01/15, at 6pm, in MedED 300. Prepare for Step 1 success with our three-part series designed to guide you through every phase of your study journey. Developed by MS3's Ava Siegel and John Rustad, this new three-part peer-facilitated support series option is designed to guide you through every phase of your study journey. From getting started and organizing your approach to maintaining strong study habits and achieving a healthy balance during dedicated study time, these in-person sessions will equip you with valuable tools, strategies, and insights. Whether you're just starting to think about Step 1 or already busy studying, this series is intended to help you feel prepared, confident, and supported — in community. Sign up & Session details here. This new series is sponsored by the Medical Student Services Team.  

M3 STUDENTS (co2026) 

• Important Reminder for Selection of Specialty Advisors before 12/1: All students entering the Advanced Integration lottery in January must have a specialty advisor selected in Oasis prior to 12/1. Make sure you are selecting 2025-26 as the year and Advanced Integration level. Please let your selected advisor know that you have selected them; you can refer them to Dr. Katie Dolbec if they cannot figure out how to accept the request. Any faculty member can serve as your specialty advisor, even if you don't end up applying in their specialty. If you have not identified another faculty advisor, you may also select your PCR advisor as your specialty advisor 
• So You Want To Be An OBGyn! : 12/09 @ 5:30pm via Zoom. For anyone who might be considering a career in OBGyn! Please come even if you are just considering but haven't fully decided yet. Sara Tourville, OBGyn Medical Student Coordinator

M4 STUDENTS (co2025) 

• IMPORTANT: Take a moment to confirm that OASIS reflects all course requirements needed for graduation. In accordance with Policy 565.45 Graduation Degree Requirements, all requirements must be scheduled by January 1. Please contact Advanced Integration Level Curriculum Coordinator Michelle McKay  for assistance. 
• Medical Roommate Network (MRN): My name is Aleksander Mika and I am a current PGY-5 at Vanderbilt. Like most applicants, I spent a significant amount of money interviewing for residency and fellowship (~$15k). These costs can often be prohibitive to applicants, which led me to create the Medical Roommate Network (MRN).   Our site allows applicants to post their interviews and match with other applicants to share housing and transportation costs. At this stage, we've partnered with several residency and fellowship programs to help applicants reduce interview expenses. By saving $50-100+ on every interview the average applicant will save over $1000 during the application process. This money can be used to attend additional interviews or splurge on the seemingly traditional pre-graduation trip to Bali that everyone is taking these days. As OSIG members, we would like to invite you to serve as champions of MRN for your school. You will receive complimentary accounts and be able to provide significant discounts to your classmates. Please let me know if you would be interested in partnering with MRN to help reduce the cost of residency applications. All accounts have a money-back guarantee. If you receive no matches during the application process your account will be refunded. For more info, contact Aleksander Mika.