During Periods 3 and 4 of our curriculum, students experience clinical rotations in all the major specialties and selected sub-specialties. Students also further their knowledge and skills in research and evidence-based medicine, community-based medicine, and professional development.
Period 3
Period 3 involves core clerkships in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Surgery. Students rotate clinically under the supervision of our dedicated and highly skilled community-based faculty in all the core specialties and sub-specialties. In our community-based model, students are exposed to a diversity of patients and clinical settings at multiple hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private offices throughout South Florida.
In Period 3, students take an active role in patient care, applying the skills and knowledge learned during Periods 1 and 2 of the curriculum. Learning is enhanced by the inclusion of simulation, case-based didactics, virtual cases, and other assignments and experiential learning activities. Selective opportunities during the Internal Medicine and Surgery clerkships allow students to explore specific sub-specialty areas.
Students continue to participate in NeighborhoodHELP throughout Period 3 in the Community-Engaged Physician II course (MDC 6102, Period 3). Also included in the Period 3 curriculum is a longitudinal course with problem-based learning sessions, emphasizing self-directed learning and integrating learning objectives from basic sciences. Students are required to pass Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE) at the end of Period 3 and to demonstrate general competency in basic biomedical sciences, diagnosis of disease, and clinical case management.
Period 4
Period 4 focuses on the study of advanced medicine, including scholarship and exploration of specialty areas to facilitate a student’s choice of postgraduate study. Students are each given individualized schedules with rotations that best serve to meet their long-term career goals. Period 4 requirements include a geriatrics rotation; one subinternship; an emergency medicine rotation; a longitudinal capstone course; a community medicine practicum; individual research projects; and electives. Required subinternship’s must be completed at HWCOM-affiliated clinical sites under supervision of HWCOM faculty.
Students continue to participate in NeighborhoodHELP during Period 4. Required subinternship’s must be completed at HWCOM-affiliated clinical sites under supervision of HWCOM faculty. Period 4 also includes a capstone course which has a longitudinal clinical component consisting of monthly cases and online learning activities; and a block component that includes professional development workshops on career management, a research symposium, and a clinical medicine experience designed to hone clinical skills and prepare students for residency.
Core Clerkships
Our Team
Curriculum Director:Sarah Stumbar, MD, MPH
Period 3 Curriculum Coordinator:Maritere Williams, MBA
Period 4 Curriculum Coordinator:Emily Gonzalez, MPA