Panther Communities

The Panther Communities (PCs) are designed to help you build connections, find support, and thrive during the many transitions of medical school. From your first days at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, you’ll be part of a small, faculty-led group that fosters meaningful relationships, peer mentoring, and a sense of belonging.

As a member of a PC, you’ll:

• Learn clinical skills in smaller, supportive groups during Periods One and Two
• Apply your knowledge beyond the classroom through hands-on, community-based experiences
• Receive guidance from peer mentors and opportunities to develop as a leader
• Deepen your understanding of the social and cultural factors that impact health

Founded in 2009 with the College of Medicine’s inaugural class, the four Panther Communities—Anderson, Hippocrates, Pasteur, and Semmelweis—are named after influential figures in medicine and science. Each community supports a unique geographic area in Miami-Dade County through the Green Family NeighborhoodHELP program.

Anderson

Named after Dr. Elizabeth G. Anderson, the first female physician in Britain and the first woman to serve as a mayor in England.

• PC Color: Green
• Mascot: Phoenix
• NeighborhoodHELP Region: Unincorporated Northwest Dade, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Miami Lakes, and Medley

Hippocrates

Named for Hippocrates of Cos, regarded as the Father of Western Medicine.

• PC Color: Silver
• Mascot: Hippopotamus
• NeighborhoodHELP Region: Miami Gardens

Pasteur

Named for Dr. Louis Pasteur, pioneer of germ theory and a founder of microbiology.

• PC Color: Red
• Mascot: Cow
• NeighborhoodHELP Region: Opa-locka and South Miami

Semmelweis

Named for Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, who discovered the life-saving practice of hand hygiene.

• PC Color: Blue
• Mascot: Owl
• NeighborhoodHELP Region: North Miami, North Miami Beach, and Little Haiti

The Panther Communities host co-curricular enrichment through three signature programs: Community Service Learning, MedLEAD, and PC Culinary Medicine.

Contact Us

Scarlet M. Aldana, MBA
Director, Academic Support Services
Student Life and Development
11200 SW 8 Street
Miami, FL 33199

Office: AHC2 390W2
Tel: 305-348-0684
Email:saldana@fiu.edu