Continuing Mentorship for Excellence

Dr. Gordon Buchanan, and Ms. Linda Varvel take personal responsibility for student affairs. They meet regularly with students, individually, or in large and small groups to build relationships and monitor student morale. They review student records, including class performance, research productivity and achievement of training milestones and progress towards career goals. This team meets weekly to discuss the issues of concern in the MSTP at the moment. Any student needing additional support from the MSTP or another entity is discussed and appropriate interventions discussed.  Linda Varvel, as Administrative Director, plays a critical role. All students know she is always available for consultation for any reason.

Two most important decisions a student must make:

The Director's philosophy is that the two most important decisions in MSTP training are: 1) the selection of a thesis laboratory and 2) the selection of a clinical specialty. The director takes an active, personal role in advising our students through these transitions. This includes advising all incoming MSTP students on research rotation and thesis mentor selection and selection of clinical specialty and choice of residency training.

Individual Student Mentorship:

Mentorship is individual. Continuing Mentorship for Excellence is embedded in an institutional culture of collaboration. Our MSTP leadership has strong relationships throughout the university, allowing them to intervene and support trainees at all levels. MSTP Leadership does not hesitate to communicate with MSTP faculty mentors, graduate program directors, the leadership in the OSAC office, OSAC counselors, the Associate Dean for Diversity, and the Deans of the CCOM and Graduate College on behalf on an individual trainee. This works! Our students are happy, productive, and complete training in a timely manner.