Although the pre-clerkship curriculum is devoted primarily to interdisciplinary biomedical science courses, we begin immersing students in patient-centered experiences within a few weeks after matriculation. We are adding more active instructional methods such as problem-based learning and team-based learning to maximize student knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and reducing the hours of passive lectures. The case-based, small-group conference is a dominant feature of pre-clerkship courses. First year electives include Health Disparities, Medical Mandarin, Medical Spanish (which is also offered in the 2nd year), and Nutrition. Successful completion of any of these electives is noted on the student’s transcript.

During the clinical years, students learn how to apply biomedical science knowledge and clinical skills to problems of human disease and illness in both inpatient and outpatient settings rotating through clerkships in foundational clinical disciplines. The third year consists of clerkships in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family Medicine, Geriatrics, and Radiology, as well as small-group case based conferences dealing with issues of prevention, ethics, and professionalism. The fourth year consists of a required one month of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, or Pediatrics, followed by an additional month of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, or Surgery. Rounding out the 4th year are clinical rotations in Neurology and Ambulatory care, and a 7-month elective that students take either at a local affiliate, across the United States, or around the world.