Scholarly Concentration

• Support the study of the human aspects of medicine through the traditional arts, history, philosophy, sociology, and literature, so that students will become more insightful and compassionate doctors.
• Create a forum that will foster student exploration of the connection between the practice of medicine and humanism through the lens of the humanities.
• Contribute to the development of students’ professional identity formation and enhance their capacity to listen, interpret, and communicate, while fostering an appreciation for the ethical dimensions of practice.
• Complete a capstone project of interest that emphasizes a humanistic approach to healthcare.

• Completion of Healer’s Art program.
• Participation in the Tell Me More program as a student interviewer.
• Completion of Next Gen U course in Humanism in Health and Healthcare.
• Submission of original work to Narrateur: Reflections on Caring. 
• Participation in Meaning in Medicine program.
• Completion of MS4 elective Narrative Perspective and Reflective Writing: An Elective in Medical Humanities.
• Completion and presentation of approved mentored Capstone Project.

MS1 Year: Apply to and begin the HIM Scholarly Concentration no later than the start of the spring semester of the MS1 Year. Enroll in the ZSOM’s Healer’s Art course prior to the start of the MS1 spring semester (Healer’s Art course runs January/February of spring semester), Attend a scheduled webinar focused on health humanities.

Summer Experience: Attend required reflection sessions as scheduled and engage with HIM through at least one of the following: (1)Participating in the Tell Me More® summer research project (2)Engaging in mentored research on humanities topics, (3) Taking the online Next Gen U course in Humanism and Healthcare.

MS2 and MS3 Years: Complete 10 hours of independent study related to health humanities and prepare reflections to support the experience, Attend scheduled journal club presentations, Participate in the Meaning in Medicine program in the MS3 year as scheduled, Submit an original work to Narrateur in either MS3 or MS4 year, and consider joining the editorial staff in any or all years at the ZSOM.

MS4 Year: Complete a minimum of two (2) elective blocks as follows: (1)The Narrative Perspective and Reflective Writing: An Elective in Medical Humanities and (2)Tell Me More® (if not completed during summer); or, if Tell Me More® was completed during summer after MS1, complete a student-designed nonclinical Preceptorship in Medical Humanities or Medical Humanities research elective block, Complete 4 hours of independent study related to health humanities and prepare reflections to support the experience, Complete a CAPSTONE PROJECT, through one of the following: (1)Develop/design a program that is offered through the ZSOM’s Humanities in Medicine program. (2)Complete and present an approved scholarly project prior to graduation.

Please note: All capstone projects must be presented at the MS4 Capstone Presentation Day in May.

Requirements that can be worked on longitudinally include: submission of work to Narrateur, participation in Tell Me More as a student interviewer, completion of the Next Gen U course, and progress on Capstone Project.

Application Download

Alice Fornari, EdD, RD
Associate Dean for Educational Skills Development
Professor of Science Education, and Family Medicine
Vice President, Faculty Development, Northwell Health
T: 516.463.7522
F: 516.463.7542
Email | Bio

Taranjeet Kalra Ahuja, DO, MSEd
Physician Advisor, Scholarly Concentration
Assistant Professor of Science Education & Pediatrics
T: 516.463.7565
Email | Bio

Elizabeth Fiorino, MD, Physician Advisor, Scholarly Concentration, Associate

Elizabeth Fiornino, MD
Physician Advisor, Scholarly Concentration, Associate
Associate Professor of Science Education & Pediatrics
T: 516.463.7565
Email | Bio

For questions about scholarly concentrations in general, please contact Tiffany Jordan, MHEA, Director of Curriculum Initiatives Tiffany.M.Jordan@hofstra.edu