UNSOM Students: Opportunities for Students
The School of Medicine is committed to maintaining diversity by accepting students from a variety of backgrounds, ethnic cultures and experiences, and to advancing the participation of underrepresented students in medicine and science.
Small class sizes offer an intentionally personalized atmosphere for students. At the School of Medicine, students receive personalized instruction and attention from faculty, staff, and colleagues. Support services include:
Mentoring and Colleague Programs
First-year medical students are matched with a community physician for an ongoing clinical education and mentoring relationship.
The Colleague Program provides students with a second year medical student to help ease the transition into medical school. Incoming students are matched with a veteran second-year student for help in developing effective study skills, managing the work of medical school and balancing personal life with school responsibilities.
Clinical Mentor Program - Beginning in Year III, medical students are matched with a clinical mentor on the main campus in Reno or the clinical campus in Las Vegas. This match is based on the students clinical interests. The mentor assists the student in the career decision making process, as students select a specialty to pursue after medical school.
Academic Support
The School of Medicine helps students balance the intellectual, psychological, physical and social components of their lives. The medical schools Wellness Program provides an ongoing series of seminars dealing with such issues as study skills, test-taking strategies and time management. In addition, students are encouraged to seek assistance from faculty. The Office of Medical Education has study and test taking strategies advisement through the services of a staff psychologist available for students. Nevada's low faculty to student ratio also enhances support for students.
Community Service Opportunities
Students are involved in the care of patients in clinics for patients with HIV and AIDS, the medically underserved, the homeless and other populations throughout the state.
Medical students also operate the Student Outreach Clinic, a free clinic in Reno for the medically indigent.
Students also participate in outreach programs for middle and high school students, in both Reno and Las Vegas.
Minority Student Organizations
Students can join the Student National Medical Association, a group focused on community service.
Physician Seminars
Physician speakers from diverse backgrounds are featured through the year across all years of medical schools. These seminars give students the opportunities to learn about different medical specialties and practice environments.
