Program Overview

Medical Scientist Training Program

The Medical Scientist Training Program is designed to train physician-scientist leaders who can accelerate rigorous basic, translational, clinical, and multidisciplinary research to advance the understanding, detection, treatment, and prevention of human disease.

Mission Statement

The mission statement of the program is to train physician-scientist leaders who can accelerate rigorous basic, translational, clinical, and multidisciplinary research to advance the understanding, detection, treatment, and prevention of human disease.

Approaches

The program approaches its mission through the following methods:

• Develop effective and innovative MD-PhD training that integrates research and clinical training with early and deep engagement in research to develop, support, sustain, and retain trainees in the physician-scientist pipeline.
• Develop supportive advising and an efficient curricular approach to promote student progression, timely completion of the program, and long-term attainment of student goals for physician-scientist careers.
• Foster mentor development and training to provide better mentorship to students.
• Build a community of faculty, students, and staff that supports students throughout their training and offers a network of career-long colleagues.
• Develop collaborations between institutions to allow access to mentors and environments for clinical and research training.

Program Values

The program values the following aspects:

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing

• Student mental health and wellness throughout the diverse challenges of the training program.
• A healthy work-life balance.

Professional Development

• Develop data-driven rigorous scientific skills and intellectual curiosity.
• Willingness to collaborate in team science.
• Diversity of current and future work and life experiences.
• Top-notch clinical training in diverse academic and community environments.
• Train students in the process of grant writing and support fellowship awards.
• Networking throughout training.

Characteristics and Elements

• Intellectual curiosity
• Innovation
• Leadership
• Empathy
• Community engagement
• Listening to alternative viewpoints
• Commitment to improve our world through science and medicine
• Integration and collaboration
• A drive to achieve: use the opportunities we have been given to advance science and medicine
• Balance self-respect and professional drive with humility
• Respect for others: colleagues, peers, trainees, patients those above and below us