Scholarship Pathways Program
Great Opportunity
We provide an elective opportunity for you to enrich your education through rigorous independent scholarship and scholarly excellence. Those who complete the program will receive special commendation in their Dean's Letter and at the graduation ceremony.
Scholarship Pathways
- Education: For students with a special interest in academic medicine, teaching and the medical curriculum
- Research: For students with a special interest in clinical or basic science research
- Service: For students with a special interest in community service and leadership development
Program Elements
- Scholarly work across all four years of medical school
- Independent learning
- Goal setting, prioritizing and time management
- Critical thinking and data analysis
- Practical experience
- Faculty-mentor relationships
- Reflective journaling
- Periodic structured coursework and seminars
- Poster presentation
- Submission of a scholarly product
Mentor
Participating students benefit from focused learning opportunities in their selected pathway. This is enhanced by a faculty mentor with similar interests who can share experiences and knowledge and offer guidance in the selected pathway learning.
Program Timeline
As many as five students per pathway are selected midway through the first year. Students are chosen by the Scholarship Pathways Program directors based on the merit of their project proposals. Students identify a pathway of interest - education, research or service - and submit a project proposal by January. With the assistance of a faculty mentor, students develop plans for a paid eight-week summer externship and outline a longitudinal plan to complete requirements of a particular pathway.
Staff
Matt Bien, M.D.
Director, Education Pathway
Matt.Bien@usd.edu
Candace Zeigler, M.D.
Director, Service Pathway
Candace.Zeigler@usd.edu
David Zeigler, M.D.
Director, Research Pathway
David.Zeigler@usd.edu
Student Profiles
Project Gallery