Medical Student Education
Learning Communities
The Learning Communities system provides comprehensive support to all medical students within a structured system that addresses academic progress, facilitates career advising, promotes personal wellness and is fully integrated
within the medical curriculum.
Structure of the Learning Communities
Upon matriculating at UVM, students are assigned to a Professionalism, Communication & Reflection group of seven students and a faculty advisor. The purpose of PCR is to foster the development of competent professionals, leaders, and life-long learners who share, interpret, and transfer medical school experiences and knowledge into effective actions to better themselves and others.
Sixteen of these PCR groups come together to form one of four learning communities, Bennington, Newport, Shelburne & Windsor. Each community has approximately 112 students, made up of equal representation from all four years of medical school, as well as faculty, peer, and specialty advisors.
| Bennington | Newport | Shelburne | Windsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 First Year Students | 28 First Year Students | 28 First Year Students | 28 First Year Students |
| 28 Second Year Students | 28 Second Year Students | 28 Second Year Students | 28 Second Year Students |
| 28 Third Year Students | 28 Third Year Students | 28 Third Year Students | 28 Third Year Students |
| 28 Fourth Year Students | 28 Fourth Year Students | 28 Fourth Year Students | 28 Fourth Year Students |
| 4 Faculty Advisors | 4 Faculty Advisors | 4 Faculty Advisors | 4 Faculty Advisors |
Benefits of the Learning Communities
The benefits to this structure are numerous, including the vertical integration of medical students across class years, consistent advising with a faculty mentor, smaller cohorts that bring together junior and senior students throughout the medical school years, leadership development, as well as enhanced programs in career advising, academic support and wellnesss.
Last modified December 13 2011 10:45 AM
