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Courses, Clerkships & Electives

First Year Courses

Molecules, Cells & Microbes (MCM) (Unit 1)

Course #: MMCM101, 102
Course Credit: 5.5

Directors:
Rebecca Greenblatt, PhD Thomas Duncan, PhD
(Microbiology/Immunology)
(Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
Administrator:
Sandra Jarvis
Sandra Jarvis

This 7-week course, 2-Unit coursepresents foundational material in the subject areas of Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Microscopic Anatomy, Biochemistry, Genetics, Developmental Biology and Immunology. Foundational concepts will be enhanced with frequent clinical correlations and illustrations of patient care applications, both in whole-class and in lectures, small group sessions. This course provides a bridge from students’ varied undergraduate science experiences to the clinically-oriented organ system units of the Phase 1 curriculum.

Ethics, Equity, and Professionalism (HSS1)

Course #: MHSS101: Ethics, Equity and Professionalism
Course Credit: 1

Directors:
Amy Caruso Brown, MD, MSc, MSCS missingphoto
(Bioethics and Humanities)
(Bioethics and Humanities)
Administrator:
Christine Podolak
Christine Podolak

This health systems science intensive (the first of six) will cover core topics in ethics, equity, and professionalism. The content will be delivered through a combination of small- and large-group interactive sessions and self-directed learning, including guided case analysis, discussion of readings and a film, and simulation/roleplay. Assessments will include participation in small group activities and an open-book, case-based final examination.

Population Health and Preventive Medicine (HSS2)

Course #: MHSS102: Population Health and Preventive Medicine
Course Credit: 1

Directors:
Travis Hobart, MD, MPH Christopher Morley, PhD, MA
(Pediatrics)
(Public Health & Preventive Medicine)
Administrator:
Christine Podolak
Christine Podolak

This health systems science intensive will explore key determinants of individual and population health and various methods to promote health and prevent illness. Students will learn how physicians can systematically evaluate evidence and care for a population of people, helping to bridge the gap between individual clinical care and public health. The content will be delivered through a combination of small- and large-group interactive sessions, case-based learning, and self-directed learning. Assessments will include short answer quizzes, problem sets, and reflections throughout the week.

Foundations, Skin, & Cancer (FSC) (Unit 2)

Course #: MMFSC101
Course Credit: 5

Directors:
Thomas Poole, PhD Christine Stork-Medicis, PHARMD, DABAT, FAACT
(Cell and Developmental Biology)
(Poison Center)
Administrator:
Emma Callahan-Brittain
Emma Callhan-Brittain

This course will introduce foundational principles of microscopic anatomy, general pathology and pharmacology in addition to mechanisms of human development and embryogenesis.  Skin (dermatology) will be used as the main organ system to introduce clinical applications of these foundational topics using the study of normal and abnormal tissue and the application of drugs in dermatology.   In addition, the overall use of antibiotics (antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal applications) will be introduced. Finally, the pathophysiology of cancer including cancer genetics and cancer therapeutics (chemotherapy, molecular targeting, and radiation) will be discussed. 

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Study Design (HSS3)

Course #: MHSS103: Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Study Design
Course Credit: 1

Directors:
Martha Wojtowycz, PhD Roger Wong, PhD, MPH, MSW
  (Public Health and Preventive Medicine)
 (Public Health and Preventive Medicine)
Administrator:
Christine Podolak
Christine Podolak

This health systems science intensive will cover core topics in the disciplines of epidemiology, biostatistics, and study design. The material will be delivered through daily lectures, and individual and small group activities will be utilized to apply and enhance understanding from lectures. Assessments will include individual reading and reflections, problem sets, and completion of CITI training.

Musculoskeletal System (MSK) (Unit 3)

Course #: MMSK101
Course Credit: 6

Directors:

Directors:
Jennette Ball, DC Paul Klawitter, MD, PhD
(Cell and Developmental Biology)
(Emergency Medicine)
Administrator:
Emma Callahan Brittain
Emma Callhan-Brittain

Students will learn the development, clinical implications, and physiology of normal and, microscopic anatomy of the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, bones, neurovascular supply, and joint structures. Students will begin cadaver dissection. Students will learn bone, joint, muscle, and soft tissue pathology. Learning will be enriched by case-based sessions, radiologic demonstrations, hands on lab work, and clinically oriented small groups.

Applied Neuroanatomy (ANA) (Unit 4)

Course #: MANA101
Course Credit: 4

Directors:
Dana Mihaila, MD, PhD Harish Babu, MD/PhD
(Cell and Developmental
Biology)
(Neurosurgery)
Administrator:
Sarah Clawson
Sarah Clawson

This course will provide students with current scientific knowledge of human nervous system structure. Students will also begin to develop an understanding of abnormalities in nervous system structure/function and disease states. Instruction will include primary exposure to, and appreciation of, how nervous system pathology manifests in abnormal clinical and laboratory findings. This course will include significant content in neuroanatomy, head and neck anatomy, and time in the anatomy laboratory. 

Health Policy, Finance, and Delivery (HSS4)

Course #: MHSS104: Health Policy, Finance, and Delivery
Course Credit: 1

Directors:
Martha Wojtowycz, PhD Christopher Morley, PhD, MA
(Public Health and Preventive Medicine)
(Public Health & Preventive Medicine)
Administrator:
Christine Podolak
Christine Podolak

This health systems science intensive will examine the structure of the US health care system, focusing on the financing and delivery of health services, and the intersection of medical care and public health. Students will learn about key players, their roles in the system, different remuneration methodologies, and study other common models of health care delivery and finance outside the US. Emphasis is also placed on the characteristics of a quality health system, principles of quality improvement and patient safety. Course activities will include small group activities, case-based learning, lectures, expert panels and IHI online modules. Students will be assessed through reflections and completion of IHI modules.

Cardiovascular System (CVS) (Unit 5)

Course #: MCVS101
Course Credit: 5

Directors:
missingphoto Robert Zajdel, PhD Ashwini Ashwath

Sherrie Lafrance-Hale, PhD 

(Cell and Developmental Biology)

Robert Zajdel, PhD

(Cell and Developmental Biology)

Ashwini Ashwath, MBBS

(Medicine)

Administrator:
Emma Callahan Brittain
Emma Callhan-Brittain

This course will emphasize medical knowledge as it applies to normal anatomic structure and physiologic function of the heart, and blood vessels and progress to an understanding of common cardiovascular diseases and their treatments. Clinical cases, rradiographic imaging and clinical testing modalities such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) will be presented to support integration and application of clinical content.

Respiratory System (RSP) (Unit 6)

Course #: MRSP101
Course Credit: 4

Directors:
Rebecca Greenblatt, PhD Ioana Amzuta, MD
(Microbiology/Immunology)
(Medicine)
Administrator:
Sandra Jarvis
Sandra Jarvis

After the completion of this Unit, students will be able to describe the micro and macro function of the urinary system as well as the upper airway respiratory system. Student will demonstrate a strong understanding of the mechanisms of renal physiology, and respiratory physiology in preparation for year 2 when pharmacology and pathology of the kidney and lungs will be discussed.  These foundations will allow students to successfully interpret clinical scenarios encompassing, but not limited to, laboratory studies, radiologic studies, and clinical case scenarios. 

Kidney and Urinary System (KUS) (Unit 7)

Course #: MKUS101
Course Credit: 4

Directors:
missingphoto Syed Bukhari, MD
(Neuroscience & Physiology)
(Medicine)
Administrator:
Wendi Burnette
Wendi Burnette

After the completion of this course, students will be able to describe the micro and macro structures and functions of the kidney and urinary system. They will demonstrate a strong understanding of the mechanisms of renal physiology and will be able to apply these concepts of physiology to further comprehend the pathophysiological basis of different disease conditions that affect kidneys and bladder, and various pharmacological approaches to treat those diseases. These foundations will allow students to successfully interpret clinical scenarios encompassing, but not limited to, laboratory studies, radiologic studies, and clinical case scenarios.

Health Policy, Law, and Advocacy (HSS5)

Course #: MHSS105: Health Policy, Law, and Advocacy
Course Credit: 1

Directors:
Rachel Fabi, PhD missingphoto
(Bioethics and Humanities)
(Bioethics and Humanities)
Administrator:
Christine Podolak
Christine Podolak

This health systems science intensive will explore the role of physicians as advocates who can inform health policy and law. Students will work through health care ethics problems based on reproductive health, incarceration and health, and immigrant health cases, and will learn skills such as storytelling, working with professional organizations, writing opinion pieces, and meeting with policymakers and community-based organizations to support health and health care access. The material will be delivered through individual and small group activities and community-engaged learning. Assessments will include daily reflections, short in-class writing assignments, and an opinion piece.

Clinical Neuroscience (CNS)

Course #: MCNS101, 102
Course Credit: 5

Directors:
Dana Mihaila, MD, PhD Michael Vertino, MD

Amruthur Ramamurthy, MD

Dana Mihaila, MD, PhD 

(Cell & Developmental Biology)

Michael Vertino, MD

(Neurology)

Gita Ramamurthy, MD

(Psychiatry)

Administrator:

Steve Doles

Steven Doles, PhD


This course is a competency-based longitudinal core curriculum in medical neuroscience, which spans he entire 18 month pre-clerkship curriculum. The course will provide students with a strong foundation in foundational and clinical science, which lays the groundwork for development of integrative skills by which students can compare and contrast similar findings across disease processes seen in various settings, courses, and medical practice. The first semester of the course will be focused largely on neurobiology and neuropathology.

Practice of Medicine (POM)

Course #: MPOM105, 106
Course Credit: 3.5 

Directors:
Paul Klawitter, MD, PhD missingphoto

Paul Klawitter, MD, PhD

(Emergency Medicine)

Marissa Smith, MD, MS

(Pediatrics)

Administrator:
Amber Gray
Interim: Amber Gray

Students will begin this course in basic clinical skills by participating in a four-week Bootcamp Intensive held in collaboration with the MLCP101 course. Throughout the course, students will work closely with clinicians in small groups, developing essential skills in clinical examination, interviewing, communication skills. Asynchronous pre-work will prepare students for and complement small group learning. Students will learn how to efficiently present patients in both written and oral form and begin to learn how to develop a differential diagnosis for various patient presentations. The course will be enhanced by clinical experiences, providing exposure to various aspects of the health care system

 

Longitudinal Clinical Preceptorship (LCP)

Course #: MLCP101, 102
Course Credit: 4

Director:
Matthew Sarsfield, MD, FAAEM
(Emergency Medicine)

Administrator:

Amber Gray
Amber Gray

This longitudinal course will grant students access to clinical outpatient offices for one half day every other week. Students will be assigned a clinical preceptor, who will remain the same throughout their outpatient assignment. Students will be expected to participate directly in patient care, taking on increasing responsibilities as the year progresses. Goals will be established for each session integrating material learned in LCP/POM Bootcamp and the POM course. During the course, students are expected to gain experience in a clinical setting, so they are well prepared to enter clerkships as members of patient care teams. This course will also allow the student to recognize and learn the roles of the physician, non-physician providers and support staff in the functioning of an outpatient medical practice. As these sessions continue throughout the duration of the pre-clerkship curriculum, students will begin to apply the basic sciences/foundations of medicine to their clinical experiences and patient care.  Other focuses of this course include professionalism, patient care, effective communication and patient interaction.

 

Foundations of Reasoning in Medicine (FRM)

Course #: MFRM101, 102
Course Credit:
3

Director:
Matthew Thornton, MD
(Emergency Medicine)
Administrator:
Amber Gray
Amber Gray

This longitudinal course integrates clinical medical reasoning into our curriculum and is designed to promote the thought processes necessary to develop a student’s intellectual capacity as a practicing physician. FRM is an active, case-based learning course that integrates with the horizontally constructed system-based courses. The course emphasizes the foundational science underpinning the clinical reasoning skills necessary to evaluate patients, understand disease, and make rational, evidence-based decisions. These small group sessions involve evidenced based medicine, small group presentations and active participation with self-directed learning. Students are given the case topic and preparatory learning materials in advance of each session.

 


MSII Courses

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Foundations & Skin (Unit 1)

Course #: MFSK201
Course Credit: 5

Directors:

Thomas Poole, PhD Christine Stork-Medicis, PHARMD, DABAT, FAACT
Tom Poole, PhD
(Cell and Developmental
Biology)

Christine Stork-Medicis, PHARMD, MPH

(Poison Center)

 


Administrator:

Dustin Tuttle

Emma Callahan-Brittain

 

This first Unit will prepare you for rest of the MS2 year and the Step 1 exam by focusing our attention on principles of pharmacology and general pathology. The foundations of pharmacology and pathology will include mechanisms of drug effects, cell injury and death, tissue repair and regeneration. We will then consider the pathogens responsible for, and the treatment of, skin infections.

Hematology & Oncology (Unit 2)

Course #: MHON201
Course Credit: 4

Directors:

Diana Gilligan, MD/PhD Scott Blystone, PhD
Diana Gilligan, MD, PhD
(Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology)
Scott Blystone, PhD
(Cell and Developmental
Biology)


 

Administrator:

Lizel Stover
Lizel Stover

 

Unit 2 covers benign and malignant disorders of blood and lymphatic organs. Hematopathology and molecular diagnostics are emphasized in the differential diagnosis of leukemias and lymphomas. Inherited and acquired blood disorders are studied, including defects in the development of blood cells and blood clotting factors. The selective and appropriate use of blood components in transfusion medicine are presented. Blood-borne pathogens are discussed with an emphasis on HIV pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment. Pharmacological agents used to treat cancers are presented. The immunological basis for many hematological disorders is discussed and novel treatments that are immune-based are covered.

Renal, Reproductive, Endocrine (Unit 3)

Course #: MENR201
Course Credit: 5

Directors:

Mary Lou Vallano, PhD Rachel Hopkins, MD
Mary Lou Vallano, PhD
(Neuroscience & Physiology)
Rachel Hopkins, MD
(Medicine)


Administrator:

Lizel Stover
Lizel Stover

 

High yield clinical content in the Unit includes syphilis, systemic lupus erythematosus, sexually transmitted infections, arthritis, gout, breast cancer, and male and female reproductive pathology. Renal pathophysiology receives comprehensive attention in this Unit. Pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and bone pathology, including derangements in metabolic homeostasis, will be covered. The pharmacology related to treating alterations within endocrine axes will be coupled with clinical case discussions. Congenital and consequent neonatal infection will be surveyed. Step 1 relevance will be maintained throughout by citing histopathologic, laboratory, radiographic, and patient characteristics that betray the mechanistic underpinnings of disease, which drive the Step 1 examination.

Cardiovascular, Respiratory II (Unit 4)

Course #: MCVR201
Course Credit: 5

Directors:

Rebecca Greenblatt, PhD Amit Dhamoon, MD, PhD
Rebecca Greenblatt, PhD
(Microbiology/Immunology)
Amit Dhamoon, MD, PhD
(Medicine)

 

Administrator:

Lizel Stover
Lizel Stover

 

This Unit builds on the foundation of MS1 Unit 5.  Students will use their knowledge of normal cardiac and pulmonary function as they learn to differentiate the deficiencies associated with infection, neoplasm, and anatomical pathology. Successful learners will be able to describe the common diseases that affect these systems, the most useful imaging and laboratory tests for differentiating among them, and the first-line treatments. When the first-line treatment is pharmacological, the Unit will include discussion of dosage and side effects. Lectures will include multiple examples of clinical relevance, and will coordinate, as do all other units, with case-based learning in the Foundations of Reasoning in Medicine course and clinical learning in the Practice of Medicine course.

Gastrointestinal II (Unit 5)

Course #: MGSI201
Course Credit: 4

Directors:

Syed Bukhari, MD Rebecca Greenblatt, PhD
Syed Bukhari, MD
(Medicine)
Rebecca Greenblatt, PhD
(Microbiology/Immunology)

 

Administrator:

Steve Doles
Interim: Steven Doles

 

This Unit builds on the foundations of MS1 Unit 7 and MS2 Unit 5. Students will use their knowledge of normal endocrine and digestive function to understand the deficiencies associated with infection, neoplasm, and anatomical pathology of the pancreas, liver, and GI. Successful learners will be able to describe the common diseases that affect these systems, their clinical manifestations, the most useful imaging and laboratory tests for differentiating among them, and their first-line treatments. When the first-line treatment is pharmacological, the Unit will include discussion of dosage and side effects. Lectures and team-based learning sessions will include multiple examples of clinical relevance, and will coordinate with case-based learning in the Foundations of Reasoning in Medicine course and clinical learning in the Practice of Medicine course.

Nervous System II (Unit 6)

Course #: MNSY201
Course Credit: 5

Directors:

Dana Mihaila, MD, PhD Amruthur Ramamurthy, MD

Dana Mihaila, MD, PhD
(Cell and
Developmental Biology)

Gita Ramamurthy, MD
(Psychiatry &
Behavioral Sciences)

 

Administrator:

Lizel Stover
Lizel Stover

 

 

 

 

 

 




Unit 5 Nervous System will provide a vertical integration with the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system studied in the first year, as well as a horizontal integration between behavioral sciences, pathology and pharmacology of the nervous system in the second year. Students will be guided toward a clear understanding of human behavior, behavioral manifestations of illness, psychopathology, diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders, including the pharmacological principles of modern therapeutics (mechanism of action, clinical indications and side effects of the drugs). CNS and muscle pathology will be described with an emphasis on common tumors in adult and pediatric populations, as well as common neurodegenerative conditions. Modern evolving areas such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy and molecular features of tumors will be covered. Eye, and head and neck pathology, will also be discussed. Histologic features and prognosis will be emphasized.

Foundations of Reasoning in Medicine II (FRM 2)

Course #: MFRM201
Course Credit: 5

Director:

Matthew Thornton, MD
Matthew Thornton, MD
(Emergency Medicine)
 

 

Administrator:

Amber Gray
Amber Gray

 

This longitudinal course is designed to promote the thought processes necessary to develop a student's intellectual capacity as a practicing physician. Similar to FRM-1 in the MS1 year, FRM-2 is an active, case-based learning course that integrates with the horizontally constructed system-based Units of year 2, in order to align with content for each individual block. These interactive sessions are done in small groups of approximately 10 students. FRM-2 is primarily designed to teach the clinical reasoning skills necessary to evaluate patients, understand disease and make rational, evidence-based decisions. These goals will be accomplished through small group sessions, during which students will be expected to work through clinical cases in order to elicit the main teaching points of the sessions, develop differential diagnoses, and concept maps for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease their simulated patients will possess. Students will continue to have exposure to the domains of ethics, law, biostatistics, epidemiology, economics, public policy, medical anthropology and sociology, and population health, which were taught during Patients to Populations in the MS1 year. In addition, Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is a component of this course.

Practice of Medicine II (POM 2)

Course #: MPOM201
Course Credit: 8

Directors:

missingphoto Paul Klawitter, MD, PhD
Marissa Smith, MD
(Pediatrics)
Paul Klawitter, MD, PhD
(Emergency Medicine)

 

Administrator:

TBD

 

Students will further master efficient medical interviewing, physical examination and communication skills with patients. Students will explore how to synthesize data gathering information into a plausible explanation of the patient’s health status. Students will learn patterns of disease and syndromes in a small group setting with peers and by working closely with standardized patients. They will also continue to develop their skill at efficiently presenting a patient in, and develop initial treatment plans for, a variety of common diagnoses seen in clinical practice.


MSIII Required Clerkships

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Clinical Bioethics

Syr/Bing Course #: CBHX2400
Syr/Bing Course Credit:
1

Director: Thomas Curran, MD
Syr Administrator: Kathy Szczech
Site Director: Sally Hartwick, MD
Bing Administrator: Donna Dranchok

In this longitudinal concurrent case-based course which spans the third year, students meet in small groups with a faculty tutor to discuss ethical issues presented in patient care and practice communication skills. Students bring their own cases for discussion, and faculty provide other cases to provide the opportunity to discuss and learn about ethical principles and a method of case analysis for ethical concerns raised in patient care. Advanced communication skills are addressed in this course.

Emergency Medicine Clerkship 

Syr/Bing Course #: EMED1300
Syr/Bing Course Credit: 2.5

Directors: Jennifer Campoli, DO
Syr Administrator: Denise Dexter
Site Director:
James Distin, MD
Bing Administrator: Julia Milewski

EM Pocket Card

This two week rotation introduces students to core concepts and principles in Emergency Medicine. Emphasis is on focused history and physical examination skills, developing a differential diagnosis, and developing clinical care plans. Principles of trauma care, shock and critically ill patients, and other acute life threatening illness will be taught in the clinical setting as well as in the Simulation Center.

Family Medicine Clerkship 

Syr/Bing Course #: FAMP1600
Syr/Bing Course Credit: 4.5

Directors: Tom LaClair, MD
Syr Administrator: Meghan Bocyk
Site Director:
Lazarus Gehring, MD
Bing Administrator: Donna Dranchok

FM Pocket Card

"This ambulatory-based clerkship provides training in the basic tenets of primary, family-based care. Clinical preventive medicine and the treatment of acute and chronic diseases are emphasized in both clinical and didactic aspects of the clerkship.

What are the goals of the clerkship? The goals of the clerkship are for every medical student to:

  • have point-of-care training in a family doctor’s office
  • demonstrate competence in the core knowledge and skills of family medicine
  • understand the role of the family physician

Additionally, students will recognize that high quality information, balanced with patient preferences and clinical judgement, is the basis for intelligent decision making. Developing an understanding of the intellectual process and acquiring the skills for life-long learning will assist students in achieving the goals of the Family Medicine Clerkship."

http://www.upstate.edu/fmed/education/clerkship.php

Internal Medicine Clerkship 

Syr/Bing Course #: MDCN2000
Syr/Bing Course Credit: 10

Director: Zachary Shepherd, MD
Syr Administrator: Lisa Oliver
Site Director: Abdelhamid Ben-Selma, MD
Bing Administrator: Maureen Savona

IM Pocket Card

Through active participation in the care of inpatients and outpatients, the third-year student continues to develop knowledge and skill in diagnosis and acquire experience in the fundamentals of treatment.Students take medical histories, perform physical examinations and outline programs of treatment on assigned patients.

THREADS:

Geriatrics

Director: Jeanne Bishop, MD
Syr Administrator: Kelly Wheeler
Site Director: Rana Ahmad, MD
Bing Administrator: Maureen Savona

Palliative Care (EPEC)

Director: Barbara Krenzer, MD
Syr Administrator: Jamie Murphy
Site Director: Rana Ahmad, MD
Bing Administrator: Maureen Savona

Neuroscience Clerkship 

Syr/Bing Course #: NEUR3000
Syr/Bing Course Credit: 5

Directors: Michael Vertino, MDMichael Galgano, MD (Neurosurgery)
Syr Administrator: John Reidy
Site Directors: Yahia Lodi, MD 
Bing Administrator: Maureen Savona

Neuro Pocket Card

This five-week clerkship integrates neurology and neurosurgery instruction. Students see common and uncommon neurological disorders and obtain concentrated training in taking a neurological history and performing a neurologic examination. A core curriculum emphasizes neurologic topics common in general practice. Core Topics in ophthalmology are also included.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship 

Syr/Bing Course #: OBGY3600
Syr/Bing Course Credit: 5

Directors:  George Stanley, MD
Syr Administrator: Christine Rydelek
Site Director: Patrick Ruggiero, MD
Bing Administrator: Kelly Cortright

OB/Gyn Pocket Card

Online core topic modules and active participation in patient care form the basis for this clerkship. We provide clinical opportunities for students to develop skills and knowledge related to antepartum care, management of normal labor and delivery, postpartum care, and common ambulatory and inpatient gynecologic concerns. We emphasize the importance of women's health care in all aspects of a well-educated and prepared physician.

Pediatrics Clerkship 

Syr/Bing Course #: PEDS5600
Syr/Bing Course Credit: 5

Directors: Jennifer Nead, MD & Leah Bennett, MD/MPH
Syr Administrator: Chris Kuehnle
Site Director: Karolina Petro
Bing Administrator: Kelly Cortright

Peds Pocket Card

Provides students with a basis for understanding the interrelationships of growth factors and development in health and disease. Students develop basic skills in taking pediatric histories; perform physical examinations on newborns, infants and older children; assess the childrens developmental levels; and interpret clinical data. Preventive pediatrics is emphasized.

Population Health for Physicians 

Syr/Bing Course #: PRVM6400
Syr/Bing Course Credit: 0.5

Director: Travis Hobart, MD, MPH
Syr Administrator: Zoreslava Osiv
Site Director: Christopher Ryan, MD
Bing Administrator: Donna Dranchok

Pop Health Pocket Card

A longitudinal course covering public health, clinical prevention and emergency preparedness topics during the clinical rotations.

Psychiatry Clerkship 

Syr/Bing Course #: PYCH6800
Syr/Bing Course Credit: 5

Directors: Rachael Kuch-Cecconi, MD
Syr Administrator: Cassandra Read
Site Director: Purushothaman Muthukanagaraj, MD
Bing Administrator: Maureen Savona

Psych Pocket Card

In this psychiatry clerkship, students learn interviewing techniques, refine diagnostic skills, prepare case studies and participate in the treatment programs of the ward to which they are assigned. Liaison/consultation psychiatry is also emphasized. Students learn to evaluate patients in the ER and outpatient clinics. Faculty provide seminars to review psychopathology and treatment methods.

Surgery and Surgical Subspecialties Clerkship 

Syr/Bing Course #: SURG8200
Syr/Bing Course Credit: 7

Directors: Alex Helkin
Syr Administrator: Rebecca Bellini
Site Director: Leonard Anderson, MD
Bing Administrator: Julia Milewski

Surgery Pocket Card

During this clerkship, the student participates in the care and management of patients on general surgical services as well as subspecialty services. Bedside, clinic, and operating room instruction is supplemented by Wise MD case and Skills Modules and sub-speciality lectures. Students learn to recognize problems of a surgical nature, to understand the relevant pathophysiology and to gain some familiarity with surgical therapy.

The RMED Experience

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RMED 

Syr Course #: FAMP1650
Syr Course Credit: 4
Director: Lauren Meyer 
Syr Administrator: TBD

The Rural Medical Education Program, known as RMED, is an elective course tied to a clinical site placement for third-year medical students. Participating students complete the Family Medicine clerkship at a rural, or small town, clinical site. In addition, participating students complete the RMED Elective (FAMP1650) in a small-town environment. For the elective, an emphasis is placed on the continuous and comprehensive care of patients. Students develop skills in the diagnosis and management of a wide range of common ambulatory and secondary hospital problems of patients across the age spectrum. Students participate in office hours and conduct inpatient rounds, laboratory work, night call, and case presentations with community-based attendings. The Rural Medical Education Program maintains a number of host facilities/practices/hospitals and preceptors in rural areas but students are also able to pursue other sites through discussion with Dr. Lauren Meyer, Director of the Rural Medical Scholars Program. Students must have completed FAMP 1646 – Introduction to Rural Health – to participate. Preference will be given to those students that have completed all first- and second-year Rural Med coursework. Students with academic deficiencies or professionalism concerns cannot participate.

Binghamton Campus

Academic Schedules

Third Year Clerkship Subject Exams

MSIV Year

Overview

The fourth year consists of twelve four-week periods beginning in April/May following the completion of required clerkships. The curriculum for this year consists of electives and acting internships selected by students as well as one required capstone course, Transition Into Residency. In order to graduate, students must complete at least 25 elective credit hours, including credits in both the basic and clinical sciences. For more additional information on the course selection procedures and policies by graduating class year, please visit this webpage: Clinical Course Offerings and Procedures.

 

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Electives

Intramural Electives

  • The College of Medicine offers over 200 electives. In January of the third year, students enroll in the Elective Lottery to select their electives for the fourth year. This process is faciliated through the Registrar's Office and is described in detail here: Electives and Elective Lottery. All electives offered through the College of Medicine can be found in the Course Selection Handbook. If students want to create an elective experience that they do not see offered in the Course Selection Handbook, they can propose a Unique Elective.

Away Electives

  • "Away Electives", which involves spending several weeks at other medical schools, at the Center for Disease Control or the National Institutes of Health, or seeing patients in medically underserved parts of the United States or in other countries. Some students take an away elective the summer after their first year at SUNY Upstate.

Unique Electives

  •  Unique Electives, are electives proposed by students who wish to do research in a specific field which will allow them more in depth exposure to that particular area of medicine.  The forms should be filled out six weeks prior to the date that research/elective is scheduled to begin.

Acting Internships

All MSIV are required to take at least one Acting Internship(AI) consisting of four credits at Upstate Medical University. Approved Acting Internships can be found here.

Transition to Residency

This required, three-credit capstone course is designed to prepare students for their first day as an intern. The course consists of large-group lectures, small-group discussions, procedures and simulations.

Step 2

MSIV students are required to take and pass Step 2 CK as a graduation requirement. Our students must sit for both components of the exam by December 1st of their fourth year.

Clinical Skills Exam (CSE)

The CSE is required to be taken by all students transitioning to the MSIV year. Students must pass the CSE as a graduation requirement. The exam is taken in the Clinical Skills Center and consists of multiple stations that test the clinical skills acquired throughout the MSIII year.

Electives

The College of Medicine offers more than 200 electives: everything from classes taken on campus, to several weeks abroad working in a clinic. Students may take electives throughout the four years of medical school.

Here are just a few examples:

  • Unique Electives, are electives proposed by students who wish to pursue a learning experience in a specific field which will allow them more in depth exposure to that particular area of medicine.  Paperwork must be received and approved prior to the start of the proposed elective.
    NO RETROACTIVE CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN.
  • Basic Spanish Electives, prepares medical students to communicate effectively with patients with limited English proficiency. 
  • Medical Spanish Electives, build on the strong foundation of the Basic Spanish level.
  • Consortium for Culture and Medicine courses (CCM), which are offered in conjunction with Syracuse University and LeMoyne College. Courses cover topics such as bioethics; the economic and legal aspects of health care; literature and death; disability and identity, and much more.
  • Hospice Volunteering, which includes intensive training and visits with patients in their homes. The goal is to enhance quality of life at the end of life by supporting patients and their families.
  • "Away Electives", which involves spending several weeks at other medical schools, at the Center for Disease Control or the National Institutes of Health, or seeing patients in medically underserved parts of the United States or in other countries. Some students take an away elective the summer after their first year at SUNY Upstate.
  • MSI Electives
  • MSII Electives
  • MSIII Concurrent Electives

All offered electives can be found in the course selection book:

Course Selection Book



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