There are many opportunities available to further develop your knowledge and skills in areas that interest you. In addition to the programs and resources listed below, keep an eye out for new opportunities posted to your class listservs and the MedCats website (MedCats login required) as well.
COLLEGE COMMITTEES
Serving on COM – Tucson committees helps you hone your leadership skills and represent the interests of students in important decisions. Be a voice for your fellow students!
Don’t forget to update your CV with your committee service. For more information about committees you might consider, refer to the MedCats website (MedCats login required).
COMMITMENT TO UNDERSERVED PEOPLE PROGRAM
The Commitment to Underserved People (CUP) Program is an opportunity to gain clinical experience and work with medically underserved populations. CUP enables you to learn about community service through performing valuable community service. CUP participants develop valuable insight into the role of the physician in patient lives, and how socioeconomic and cultural factors impact health and access to health care.
DISTINCTION TRACKS
The COM – Tucson offers eight Distinction Tracks for students who wish to distinguish themselves in the following areas:
- Providing patient care as bilingual Spanish-English healthcare providers (Bilingual Medical Spanish)
- Providing patient care to medically underserved populations (CUP), rural communities (RHPP) and developing countries (Global Health)
- Providing patient care through the practice of integrative medicine
- Leadership and innovation in healthcare, medical education, or research
DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAMS
Combining an MD with another degree, such as PhD, MBA or MPH can greatly enhance your career options and impact. At the College of Medicine – Tucson, we offer such programs referred to as Dual Degree MD Programs. These programs allow you to complete two degrees in less time that completing them separately. However, such pursuit is a rigorous undertaking and thorough research and preparation for beginning a program like one of these takes careful consideration.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Because the University of Arizona Health Sciences is one of the nation’s top research institutions in biomedical and biological sciences, medical students have many opportunities to participate in research at various levels of commitment and expectations for performance.
- Research Electives: More than 32 research electives are available on the Tucson campus.
- Medical Student Research Program (MSRP): Tucson-based students also may participate in the MSRP. Currently supported by two NIH/NHLBI (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) grants, this program offers multifaceted opportunities and activities, including intensive summer and year-round programs. Through the MSRP, medical students can participate in the full spectrum of basic, translational and clinical research based in departments, centers, and programs of the COM and UAHN as well as at other institutions across the state, nation and international sites. Over 800 medical students have participated in MSRP since its inception in 1982.
- Research Distinction Track: One of the five “distinction tracks” offered at the COM is the Research Distinction Track. Students who participate in this track are engaged in a continuum of research activities throughout the four years of medical school and upon successful completion of all requirements earn six academic credits.
- Post-Sophomore Fellowship in Pathology: Students interested in developing research skills in conjunction with their medical education also can apply for the COM’s post-sophomore fellowship in pathology.
- Dual Degree Programs: MD-PhD or MD-MPH dual degree programs are also programs for students interested in developing research skills during medical school. See Dual Degree MD Programs for more information.
- Additional opportunities are listed on the MedCats website (MedCats login required).
RURAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS PROGRAM
The Rural Health Professions Program (RHPP) gives students first-hand exposure to primary care and practicing medicine in rural communities. The experience will guarantee development of a wide range of clinical skills and insight into the rewards and challenges of providing healthcare in a rural setting.
Contact Research Experts
If you’re a current student interested in research, we look forward to hearing from you! In addition to your Societies Mentors and Societies House Deans and Assistant Dean for Career Advising, Drs. Anne Cress and Jil Tardiff are happy to meet with our students who are looking for guidance for getting involved in research and/or considering careers in biomedical research.
Anne Cress, PhD
Deputy Dean, Research Affairs
College of Medicine
cress@email.arizona.edu
(520) 626-7553
Room Number: 3963C
Jil C. Tardiff, MD, PhD
Professor, Medicine
Professor, Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Vice Chair for Research, Department of Medicine
Steven M. Gootter Endowed Chair for the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death
Member, UA Sarver Heart Center and BIO5 Institute
jtardiff@email.arizona.edu
(520) 626-8001
Room Number: MRB 312