Events

Blitz Talks

This series of two events is aimed at helping early-phase students find a thesis adviser. Over the course of a few hours, students are exposed to the research of upwards of 40 faculty members at Northwestern. These events are meant to serve as a brief introduction to foster future communication with advisers.

Big Sibs Program

The MSTP Big Sibs program pairs each incoming first-year medical student with an older graduate-phase student. The goal is to provide mentorship focused on choosing an adviser, taking step 1 and transitioning to graduate school. The MSTP office offers donuts and coffee to facilitate meetings between sibs.

Coffee Talk

In this monthly, informal get-together, students meet with the directors to discuss topics of interest suggested by a student. Past topics include:

• How to balance coursework and research during the first two years.
• How to start a family during MSTP training.
• Whether it is possible to be a serious scientist and also a surgeon.
• General information and open forum session.
• Preparation for medical school and graduate school phase transitions.

PSTP Interaction

Student Council makes targeted efforts to reach out to the Physician-Scientist Training Programs (PSTP) at Northwestern. We aim to provide MSTP students with opportunities to learn more about the PSTP program and identify potential mentors.

MSTP Student-Faculty Retreat

This two-day event involves a combination of scientific and social activities held around the city of Chicago. While the format varies slightly from year to year, a constant feature is that all students in the research and clinical phases of training present their work in either oral or poster presentations. The students also invite two physician-scientists as speakers: a recently appointed faculty member and a Northwestern MSTP alumnus. Each gives a brief research talk and discusses their career path. Recreational activities round out the weekend.

MSTP Women's Forum

This annual lecture series invites speakers to connect with current MSTP students to discuss topics related to the experiences of women in science, medicine, and healthcare.

Diverse Perspectives of Physician-Scientists (DPPS)

The annual lecture series highlights the diversity of physician-scientists and exposes current trainees to physician-scientists who either identify as an underrepresented minority in medicine and/or research populations where health disparities exist.

Inter-MSTP Events

MSTP leadership and students work with other local MD-PhD programs to plan regular social and academic events for physician-scientist trainees in Chicago.

Admissions Social Events

Meeting and interacting with current students is an integral part to the MSTP admissions process. Student Council works with the MSTP office to recruit and organize current students to participate in the interview and Second Look social events and serve on student panels.

MSTP Lunch Buddies

This program randomly assigns students to small groups each quarter and provides them with funds to enjoy a meal together to promote vertical integration and wellness among students.

MSTP-PSTP Happy Hours

These casual monthly get-togethers for MSTP students and PSTP fellows help build community and connection among physician-scientists at all levels of training at Northwestern.