Rx for Success pre-orientation course empowers future medical professionals

M2 student facilitators Nia Booth and Jade Crabtree work with incoming first-year students in the pre-orientation course.

The Office of Academic Success, within the Office of Accreditation and Planning, at the Whiddon College of Medicine offered the pre-orientation course, Rx for Success: Achieving Academic Excellence in Medical School, for the second year in a row. This year's program saw increased participation, with 50 incoming M1 students joining the course, which ran from July 22-25 and blended Zoom and in-person sessions.

David S. Williams, Ph.D., MPA, assistant dean for institutional and academic success, led the course alongside an expanded instructional team that included four exceptional second-year medical student facilitators – Keegan Musaalo, Jade Crabtree, Avery Thomas and Nia Booth. These student facilitators received personal professional development in advance of the course to enhance their teaching and leadership skills.

David S. Williams, Ph.D., and Angie O'Neal,

M.Ed., with M2 student facilitators Nia Booth,

Keegan Musaalo, Avery Thomas and

Jade Crabtree.

A highlight of this year’s program was the involvement of Angie O'Neal, M.Ed., director of learning support services. O'Neal brought her expertise to the instructional team, focusing on teaching students about the importance of creating individual learning plans tailored to their medical school careers. Her sessions emphasized the use of learning science, validated self-assessment tools, and self-reflection to help students set and achieve their academic and professional goals.

Throughout the course, students were immersed in lessons on learning science, evidence-based learning strategies, effective time management skills, and the importance of resilience in medical school. They also engaged in activities designed to reflect on the importance of collaboration, teamwork, and professional behavior as they embark on their medical school journey.  

“It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and commitment from our incoming students,” Williams said. “This program is a vital part of our mission to provide the tools and support necessary for their success in medical school and beyond.”  

Avery Thomas, one of the student facilitators, said, “It has been so rewarding to meet the next class of medical students and see their growth in only one week. I am so excited to see how they take the skills they learned this week to become successful future physicians.”

Margaret Lloyd, a first-year student who participated in the course, commented, “I was most nervous about effectively studying for medical school exams and the step exams. Now, I feel confident that I can implement these strategies and use the momentum from the success of the strategies to continue enjoying studying and doing well in exams. Thank you for doing this! I am so lucky to be entering a class that gets a resource like this since this is only the second year of it.”

The collaborative nature of the program was further enhanced by guest speakers who delivered interactive lessons and Q&A sessions. Laura Boatright, M.D., from the Division of Medical Education discussed the best ways to study to develop clinical reasoning. Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D., from Student Affairs focused on strategic goal setting. Loren Modisa, Ed.D., MPA, and Tiquera Hall, Ph.D., MPA, from the Office of Health Advancement addressed resilience in medical education, while Natalie Bauer, Ph.D., from Admissions provided insights on professionalism and time management. Tim Gilbert, Ed.D., from Accreditation and Planning wrapped up the week emphasizing the various ways in which the Whiddon COM supports student success and professional development.

The Office of Academic Success is committed to continuing the Rx for Success pre-orientation course each summer, continually enhancing it to better support our incoming medical students, Williams said.  

Williams and T.J. Hundley, M.D., associate dean for medical education, lead an ongoing educational research project evaluating the course's impact and how students are integrating these evidence-based strategies in their learning and development. Data from last year’s program was presented at the national Medical Education Learning Specialists Conference in November 2023, highlighting the program's success and areas for further development.