MD-PhD Students "Return to the Wards"

On Wednesday, February 20, 2008, at 7:00pm in Archbold Commons the first of two “Return to the Wards” meetings was held. MD-PhD training involves many transitions, but the transition from thesis lab research back to the third year of medical school can be among the most challenging. One of the traditions of the Tri-Institutional MD-PhD program is that students in their final clinical year help guide students through this difficult transition. Convening over a spread of salads and pastas from Patsy's, soon-to-be-graduating MD-PhD students offered their advice on a wide variety of topics ranging from writing and defending your PhD thesis, to scheduling and preparing for the clinical clerkships. The collective comments will be integrated into a "Return to the Wards" handout that has been passed on through the generations, and will serve as a vital reference for students returning to the 3rd year medical school clerkships. A second meeting will be scheduled in April to discuss issues related to selecting a medical specialty, and tips for the residency application process.