The Einstein Journal
A student-edited journal, The Einstein Journal of Biology and Medicine, presents students with an unusual opportunity for learning the skills involved in editing and managing a scholarly periodical and provides a venue for research and review articles in a wide variety of topics related to biomedical science, clinical medicine and medical education.
Alternate Pathway M.D.-Ph.D. Program
Some students are accepted for admission to the Medical Scientist Training Program with a commitment for funding to start at the time they enter the graduate phase of their training. This program is the "Zero-Time Alternate Pathway." Or, during the second year of the medical curriculum, students interested in careers in academic medicine and research may apply for admission to the Sue Golding Graduate Division of Medical Sciences upon completion of preclinical courses. If accepted, the student will take graduate courses and conduct thesis research culminating in the award of the Ph.D. degree. After completing graduate work, the student will re-enter the medical school to complete his or her training for the M.D. degree. In both cases, after the first two years, when the student begins thesis research, he or she receives tuition remission and a stipend.
The Einstein Program for Personal Wellness
Students are offered the opportunity to participate in the Einstein Program for Personal Wellness (EPPW). The program has two components.
- Students will receive instruction in methods that have long been used to improve health and reduce stress. These methods, now viewed by an increasing number of physicians as complementary to the domain of conventional medicine, include Meditation, Yoga, Reiki, Tai Chi and Qigong.
- We provide students with information and advice on maintaining good health through good nutrition. Individual nutritional counseling is also available.
By experiencing the positive effects of these methods and activities on their health and ability to deal effectively with a demanding curriculum, we hope more students acquire interest in learning how to integrate them into their future medical practices. To help students towards this goal, Web based resources, printed literature, elective courses and research opportunities are available.
Although not originally developed as a program promoting wellness, in a larger sense Einstein's Healer's Art course may be viewed as part of the EPPW. Started in 1991 at the U.C. San Francisco School of Medicine, Healer's Art has now spread to about twenty schools across the country. We are now in our fourth year. As described by Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, the course's originator, Healer's Art "uses a ... discovery model of experiential learning to explore themes of service, calling and commitment, relationships, identity, and meaning in medicine". The course helps students reclaim the humanitarian spirit that prompted them to decide to become a physician in the first place.
An Orientation to EPPW is held early in the academic year in order to provide an overview of the program and introduce students to various methods through discussions and demonstrations.