RATIONALE:
• There is a need for guidance of the MSP students throughout their education.

• The degree and nature of such guidance varies considerably among the students.

• The issues for which they need advice change as they progress through their MD-PhD program. Thus there is a need for a “Basic Scientist Mentor” during the first part of the program and a “Physician Scientist Mentor” during the latter part. Although for a few students these roles may be provided by the same person, for most students this will require two different mentors.

• During the first two years, students in different pathways (Integrated Pathway; Independent Study Program) and different graduate programs require guidance on different issues. This can be provided by the Basic Scientist Mentor.

• During the research part of their training, scientific guidance will be provided by the student’s dissertation advisor, but there is a need for input by faculty familiar with the MD-PhD program during this time. This will be provided by both the Basic Scientist and Physician Scientist Mentors.

• Throughout the Ph.D. training there will be a need for guidance on choosing appropriate clinical preceptorships. This will be provided by a Physician Scientist Mentor.

• Towards the end of the Ph.D. training and during Med-3 and -4, mentorship is often required in selecting appropriate clinical rotations, clinical residencies and postdoctoral training. This will be provided by a Physician Scientist Mentor.

• There is a need for the MSP administration to keep informed of progress and problems of the MSP students at all stages in a timely fashion, which will be provided through written reports by both mentors to the operating committee member responsible for monitoring the student.

Potential Mentors
Basic Scientist Mentors
1. Faculty members who have previously served or who are currently serving as a dissertation advisor for an MD-PhD student.
2. Members of the Operating and Steering Committees.

Physician Scientist Mentors
To be eligible as a Physician Scientist Mentor the individual must have obtained the M.D. degree from a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, and have completed a clinical residency or fellowship in a program approved by the ACGME. In addition this person must meet one of the following three criteria:
1. Faculty member in the College of Medicine and Public Health with both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees who has peer reviewed research funding.
2. Faculty member in the College of Medicine and Public Health with the M.D. degree who has peer reviewed research funding and either was or is currently serving as the dissertation advisor for a MD-PhD student.
3. Member of the Operating or Steering Committees.

Responsibilities of Both Mentors
1. Meet with student at least once each year to discuss academic progress and any problems.
2. After completion of Med-2 both the Basic Scientist and Physician Scientist mentors should meet with the student at the same time to discuss:
a. Progress with dissertation research
b. Relationship with dissertation advisor
c. Classes in Physician Development and Patient Oriented Medicine
d. Clinical preceptorship
e. Plans to begin Med-3
f. Any personal or professional problems
3. Report any problem to the Operating Committee representative.

Responsibilities of Basic Scientist Mentor
1. Advise student on choice of research laboratory rotations.
2. Advise student on choice of dissertation advisor and graduate program (if not already chosen).
3. Monitor progress during Med-1 and Med-2.
4. Serve on Pre-candidacy and Candidacy Examination Committees.
5. Serve on Dissertation Advisory Committee.
6. Meet with student and Physician Scientist Mentor during time between Med-2 and Med-3.

Responsibilities of Physician Scientist Mentors
1. Serve on Pre-candidacy and Dissertation Advisory Committees if appropriate.
2. Meet with student and Basic Scientist Mentor during time between Med-2 and Med-3.
3. Advise student on choice of clinical preceptorships during time between Med-2 and Med-3.
4. Monitor progress in Physician Development and Patient Centered Medicine classes.
5. Advise student on choice of clinical electives during Med-3 and Med-4.
6. Advise student on process of choosing residences and fellowships.
7. General advice regarding dual clinical and research careers.

Choice of Mentors
Basic Scientist Mentor
Shortly after the time that the student informs the MSP that he/she will be joining the program, the student will receive a list of potential Basic Scientist Mentors from which the student should make a short list of individuals who would be appropriate, The Operating Committee will assign a mentor at the next meeting and inform both the student and mentor. The assignment of Basic Scientist Mentors for students choosing either the IBGP or Biomedical Engineering as their graduate programs will be coordinated with these programs so that the same person can serve as both the MSP Basic Scientist Mentor and the Pre-Candidacy Advisor for the graduate program. During the first week of the program the student and mentor will meet to discuss plans and any problems that the student may have. The student and mentor should then meet twice each year after that.

Physician Scientist Mentor
Near the completion of the Med-2 curriculum a student will be sent the list of potential Physician Scientist Mentors from which they will make a first and second choice. The Operating Committee will assign a mentor to the student taking their preferences into account.

Review of Mentor Assignment
Students will meet with their Operating Committee representatives to determine if there should be a change in mentor at the following times:
1. Completion of Med-2.
2. Completion of dissertation.
In some cases it will be appropriate to change the mentor before these times depending upon the needs of the student and rapport between the student and mentor. Such a request can be made in writing by either the student or mentor to the operating committee.

Administrative Structure
The Operating Committee will monitor students through contact of individual operating committee members who will be assigned a limited number of students (approximately 5 per member). Students will meet with their mentors at regular intervals and send minutes of these meetings to the appropriate member of the Operating Committee who will report to the full operating committee on the student’s progress twice yearly. The operating committee member will attempt to resolve any problems by meeting with the mentor and student. Problems that cannot be resolved will be forwarded to the Operating Committee for discussion and attempts at resolution. Problems unresolved at that level will be forwarded to the Steering Committee.

Click here for a downloadable PDF version of the Mentoring Form.