The Medical Students enrolled in the FIU College of Medicine will be assigned to one of four different Panther Communities. Each entering class will be divided into 4 communities. Each Panther Community will include medical students from each of the 4 years.

Panther Community Organization & Structure:

• Total of four (4) Communities
• Composed of students from each year of medical school; assigned based on diversity, ethnicity & personality.
• Programs designed to facilitate student's physical, emotional, social ,intellectual, spiritual, and professional development.
• One Mayor and one Vice-Mayor will be elected for each community.
• Each community will have an appointed faculty director and full-time coordinator.
• Inaugural class of students will select a name, colors, and motto for their Panther Community.

Objective:

• To provide an educational unit and a social organization to allow medical students to network with other students and professionals

Development of Professional & Personal Skills:

• Leadership Skills
• Interpersonal and social skills.
• Communication skills.
• Academic skills.
• Professional skills.

Educational Component:

• Forum for medical student learning outside the classroom, laboratories, and clinical sites.
• Tie in with Medicine and Society and Professionalism strands of the curriculum to coordinate extracurricular service learning opportunities in the local community and beyond.
• Tutoring and mentoring opportunities

Social Component:

• The Inaugural Class will set the stage for future years
• Student-run clubs and organizations – local & national
• Leadership opportunities through election of officers
• Service learning; field trips
• Friendly competitions, rivalries (academic, athletic, talent, service projects, and more).