Wellness Program

The Office of Student Affairs firmly believes in the continued development of the whole person during medical school. During the time spent with us, we encourage students to take part in activities that will both support and challenge them as future physicians. In addition to extracurricular activities, the Office of Student Affairs hosts a year-long series of programs constituting a Wellness Program which provides an additional layer of support during stressful times. Other offices offering specific support services are invited to attend appropriate sessions.

Mental Health Resources

Components of the Wellness Program

We recognize that life as a medical student calls for an adjustment and that transition looks different for each student. Members of Student Affairs will begin to address this transition at Orientation and continue the discussion throughout the first year. In addition, Student Affairs works with various offices within the Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra University, and Northwell Health to introduce first-year students to resources that are available to help with this transition.

Programs available for first-year students include:

  • Preparing for the first RIA Week (hosted with the Office of Academic Success)
  • Professionalism & Being a Physician
  • Giving Constructive Feedback (hosted with the Offices of Academic Success & Assessment)
  • Overview of Student Resources (hosted with the following offices: Career Advisement, Academic Success, Diversity and Inclusion, Respectful Culture, Counseling, and Physician Resource Network)
  • Faculty Council Career Nights (hosted with the Office of Faculty Affairs)
  • Introduction to Summer Research (hosted with the Student Research Advisory Committee)
  • Leadership Skills (hosted with Student Council)
  • Peer Assessment (hosted with Office of Academic Success)
  • Student Panel: Summer Plans

As students return from summer break and begin their second year of medical school, the Office of Student Affairs helps students in their transition to upperclassmen. Second year students enter a new phase of medical school as many student chose to enter leadership roles in extracurricular groups. In addition, the academic year is short, coursework is dense and culminates in students taking the first step of their USMLE Board Certifications.

Programs available for second year include:

  • Professionalism
  • Giving Constructive Feedback (Y2Q Focus) (hosted with the Offices of Academic Success & Assessment)
  • Reminder of Student Resources (hosted with the following offices: Career Advisement, Academic Success, Diversity and Inclusion, Respectful Culture, Counseling and Physician Resource Network)
  • Faculty Council Career Nights (hosted with Faculty Affairs)
  • Preparing for Step 1 (hosted with the Office of Academic Success)
  • Balance and Step 1 (hosted with the Office of Academic Success)
  • Managing the Curbside Consult
  • Loss, Death & Dying (hosted with Associate Dean for Second 100 Weeks)
  • Counseling Access: For Patients, Physicians & You
  • On the Floors: Managing Expectations (hosted with Associate Dean for Second 100 Weeks, Respectful Culture & Career Advisement)
  • Student Panel: What to Expect

As students return from completion of Step 1 and the first half of their medical school career, they begin a new transition to full time patient care. While this is a time of excitement for many, there are certain areas of stress and uncertainty that come along with being on the front lines of patient care. During the third year students are exposed to a number of different specialty areas within Medicine. By the end of third year, students are asked to narrow their choices down as they prepare for residency applications.

Programs available for third year students include:

  • Expectations for the Second 100 Weeks: Calendar, Specialty Choice & Preparation for RIA (hosted with Associate Dean for Second 100 Weeks, Academic Success, Respectful Culture & Career Advisement)
  • How to Plan a Fourth Year Schedule (hosted with Associate Dean for Second 100 Weeks)
  • Faculty Council Career Nights (hosted with Faculty Affairs)
  • Preparing for Residency, Part 1: Fourth Year Schedules, CVs and Honors (hosted with Associate Deans for Second 100 Weeks & Career Advisement)
  • Are the Acronyms for You? (LORs, VSAS, AWAYS, ERAS) (hosted with Faculty Affairs)
  • Departmental Advisors: How They Can Help
  • Preparing for Residency. Part 2: MSPE, Personal Statements, Step 2 (hosted with Associate Deans for Second 100 Weeks & Career Advisement)
  • Student Panel: Pearls of Wisdom
  • Preparing for Residency. Part 3: ERAS & Couples Matching (hosted with Associate Deans for Second 100 Weeks & Career Advisement)

The final year of medical school is spent preparing for residency and honing in on specialty choice. The finality of the undergraduate portion of medical education along with applications, interviews and transitioning to residency can make fourth year of medical school a rollercoaster ride for many students. In addition, this is the first year in which students will not be with a cohort of their peers during rotations, as individual schedules vary throughout the year.

Programs available for fourth year students include:

  • Interview Tips & Tricks (hosted with Career Advising & departmental program directors)
  • Mock Interview Workshop (hosted with Dr. Smith & Career Advising)
  • Faculty Council Career Nights (hosted with Faculty Affairs)
  • NRMP Session (hosted with Career Advising)
  • Transition to Residency: Financial Preparation, Graduate Questionnaire & Alumni Affairs (hosted with Student Finance and Alumni Affairs)
  • Graduate Exit Session