Preceptor: Victoria Dinsell, MD 
Coordinator: Tara Stark, Wellness Program Coordinator 
Email Contact: Tara.Stark@NYULangone.org
Tel: 212-263-6088

Prerequisites: Completion of Clerkship Year

Who should enroll in this elective?

This elective is open to senior medical students who have completed their Clerkship Year and are interested in supporting the professional identity development of Stage 1 and Stage 2 students, as well as strengthening their own leadership, facilitation, and mentorship skills. Students applying to all clinical specialties are encouraged to apply.

Clinical sites

The sessions will take place throughout our clinical training sites, depending on the program described below. 

Description

This longitudinal elective has two options.

Option 1: M1 Wellbeing Group Facilitation

Students will be paired with another senior student to facilitate M1 reflection groups running through semester 1. Students will facilitate discussions related to various wellness topics such as sleep, physical activity, eating healthily, social connection, and professional identity development.

Option 2: M2 Clerkship Reflection group Facilitator

Students will be paired with a faculty member to facilitate reflective discussions with small groups of clerkship students about their experiences during their clerkship rotations including challenges, growth, and professional identity development during clerkships, and they will explore the deeper meaning of becoming a practicing physician.

Student facilitators are responsible for attending orientation sessions, touchpoints throughout the year for supervision around group facilitation, and for preparing for their group sessions and engaging in supplemental readings to support meaningful conversation and participation. 

Objectives of the Elective

1. Foster Peer Mentorship: students will grow as mentors to their peers as they navigate the challenges and expectations of medical school
2. Develop Facilitation Skills: students will learn and practice group facilitation skills by creating discussion topics, guiding discussions, and managing group dynamics 
3. Understand Reflective Practice: students will learn to support their peers through reflecting upon their own experience, and personal growth 
4. Improve Communication Skills: students will sharpen skills including empathic communication, active listening, and problem solving
5. Enhance Collaboration: students will collaborate with and co- facilitators to model openness, processing, and peer support 
6. Promote Wellness and Resilience: students will support their peers in recognizing stressors and developing strategies for overall well-being in medical school
7. Leadership Development and Emotional Competence: students will develop skills in session preparation, facilitation, and peer mentorship

Responsibilities of the Student While on Elective

By enrolling in this elective, you agree to:

1. Participate in at least 35 hours of education through the course of their elective 

2. Provide communication of any expected absences to the elective coordinator in a timely fashion 
3. Arrive in a timely fashion to all locations to which they are assigned  
4. Actively participate in all required components of the elective, including orientation, teaching touchpoints, and group facilitation sessions
5. Engage in session preparation by completing assigned readings, reviewing discussion materials, and developing topics for group reflection
6. Collaborate effectively with their co-facilitators to create a supportive and respectful environment 
7. Maintain professionalism and confidentiality 
8. Regularly track their hours of participation as outlined by the elective coordinator

Key Responsibilities of the preceptor/residents/faculty while student is on Elective

By accepting student enrollment in this introductory elective, the preceptor agrees to:

1. Clearly communicate their expectations 
2. Manage logistical details such as scheduling session dates, assigning rooms and groups and preparation materials
3. Provide an orientation and periodic check-in sessions to review progress and address challenges
4. Support session facilitation by pairing students with a faculty co-facilitators or student facilitators

Didactic Program

Specific dates and times will be sent ahead of the start of the rotation. The elective will include:

• An introductory orientation
• Facilitating roughly 10 sessions throughout the year
• Attending check-in educational sessions throughout the year
• Attending a wrap-up session
• Completing a one-page reflection at the beginning and end of the elective

Method of Assessment

Students are assessed by their timely completion of required course elements, their preparation for session, their attendance, and their engagement. Students will be graded Pass/Fail.

*The Wellness Program Facilitation Elective is offered as a longitudinal experience. Students must complete a total of 35 hours comprised of the above elements. The elective will count as one week of elective credit.

Scheduling Information

Months Offered: All Year (Longitudinal) 
Report To: Victoria Dinsell, MD, and Tara Stark 
Students Per Period: Unlimited 
Duration: Longitudinal