There is a comprehensive support system available for our students including the faculty advisors, the Peer Mentors, and the Student Affairs Deans. During the first week of medical school students are introduced to personnel and program resources such as the Cognitive Skills Program, Student Health, Student Wellness Program and Public Safety. Professionalism and humanism are also highlighted during Orientation.

Deans of Student Affairs

Student Affairs Deans are available for personal counseling. Students can interact with the Deans via scheduled appointments (morning, lunchtime, and evenings), walk-in visits, email, or telephone calls. Students Affairs Deans may give students their beeper numbers or cell phone numbers. Each student meets individually with one of the Deans at the beginning of the school year in a "Get to Know You " meeting and on an as-needed basis. During the preclinical years the Student Affairs Deans monitor the academic progress of students. The Student Affairs Deans develop action plans to reach out to students in academic difficulty. They assess issues which may be impacting performance. During the clinical years there is continued monitoring and counseling available to students.

Student Affairs Deans maintain close contact via monthly meetings with the student leaders of the numerous organizations and interest groups. The Dean of the Medical School holds a monthly meeting over lunch with students where he encourages an open and frank dialogue regarding medical school and medical student concerns.

Cognitive Skills Program

The Cognitive Skills Program is an academic support program which is available to students in all four years of medical school. It provides services to students who may be experiencing academic difficulty and to students who wish to enhance the efficiency and the effectiveness of their study and test taking strategies. The Cognitive Skills Program's services are offered through individual consultation tailored to a student's specific needs and integrated with course curricula.

Peer Mentors and Faculty Advisors

In addition to the advising provided by each of the Student Affairs Deans, there is advising by students and faculty members which begins at freshman orientation. First year students are placed into small groups which are led by second year students in the role of peer mentors. Each group also has a faculty advisor who meets throughout the year with his or her advisees in small groups and individually. Both the faculty advisors and peer mentors provide a longitudinal support system.

Students interested in becoming Peer Mentors apply at the end of their first year of medical school. The Peer Mentors attend a three day retreat where they receive training in leadership, team building, listening skills and self-assessment. Peer Mentors are well-versed in the school's resources. The mentors attend freshman orientation and help ease the transition of the first year students. Peer mentors provide information from the student point of view and refer students to helpful resources when needed. Peer mentors facilitate socialization with faculty and members of other classes.

Faculty Advisors help medical students explore issues related to career choice, courses, ways to cultivate both professional and personal interests, and other matters of concern. A select group of clinical faculty members with close interactions with the student body and with dedicated time has been chosen to serve in the faculty advising program.

Career Counseling

The choice of medical specialty may be a difficult one. At Robert Wood Johnson Medical School career planning is viewed as a four year process. Student Affairs Deans assume the responsibility for career counseling and clinical advising. The Office of Student Affairs sponsors programs during the preclinical years. Students choose a faculty advisor during their third year of medical school who is generally practicing medicine in the area of career interests. The Pathway Evaluation Program and the Careers in Medicine program are available to assist students in their career choices. The Survival Guide to obtaining a Residency has a wealth of infomation and useful additional web sites for career planning. In addition, the innovative Matchmaker Program helps with choosing a residency program site. Fourth year students and residents provide additional counseling. Student Affairs Deans write the letters of evaluation for internship programs. The letters follow the guidelines of the AAMC Medical Student Performance Evaluation with an introduction, preclinical record, clinical clerkship record with comments from clerkship directors, and a summary statement. The open door policy in the Student Affairs Offices allows for appropriate student guidance prior to submitting residency choices in the matching system. National Residency Matching Program.

Student Health and Student Wellness

On the Piscataway/New Brunswick Campus, student health services are provided by the Department of Family Medicine at Monument Square, 317 George Street, First Floor, New Brunswick (732-235-5160.)

The services provided at no additional cost to the students include routine physical examinations, preventative care, tuberculosis screening and monitoring, immunization review and health education, women's health services, minor surgery and management of exposure to bloodborne pathogens after initial therapy at a designated hospital. Students may use the designated site for routine care during regular operating hours, 9:00 am-7:00 pm weekdays. Emergency coverage by on-call physicians is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (732-828-5962)

On the Camden Campus student health services are provided by the Department of Medicine at the Ambulatory Care building, three Cooper Plaza, Camden. The Student Health Director and general internists are available for scheduled appointments and for urgent care, 8:30 am-5:00 pm weekdays. (856-342-2439). Emergent care is available through the Emergency Department of Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center.

All student records are kept confidential in accordance with federal law and University policy.

All students must have the following infectious disease screening and immunizations: Annual tuberculosis screening is required of all students with test performance and interpretation following CDC guidelines. If a student tests positive, he/she must provide Student Health Services with the documentation of follow-up. Students must complete a series of the Hepatitis B vaccine. Influenza vaccine is required of all students who have patient contact by December 1 of that year. If the results of the initial history or physical examination of the student prior to matriculation indicate the need for periodic evaluation, the student must provide Student Health Services with a record from the health care provider. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met the infectious disease screening and immunization guidelines.

By University policy, health insurance is mandatory for all students. Students have the option of purchasing the University sponsored plan or have and maintain other insurance coverage. University Health Plans, Inc. (UHP) is the current plan for UMDNJ students. There is an annual fee and co-pay for individual services. Dental insurance is available on a voluntary basis at additional cost.

The medical school provides free and confidential mental health services for students on both the Piscataway/New Brunswick and Camden Campuses. The Student Wellness Program assists students in adjusting to the stressors and pressures of medical school. Services include individual, couple and family counseling, medication management, crisis intervention, and prevention oriented groups and workshops. A diverse staff of mental health professionals who are independent of the Medical School provide these services. Participating clinicians do not evaluate students academically or play any role affecting a student's status in school. On the Piscataway/New Brunswick Campus routine care is provided through Employee and Student Assistance Programs, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-5:00 pm. Crisis care is available 24 hours a day seven days a week. The 24-hour Piscataway Hotline number is 800-327-3678. On the Camden Campus routine care is provided by the University Behavioral Health Care-Managed Care Resources/Student Assistance Program, Monday through Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm The office number is 856-770-5750.

Student Assistance Campus Committee (SACC)

The purpose of the Student Assistance Campus Committee (SACC) is to help students who may be suffering from mental health and/or substance abuse problems to obtain appropriate and effective treatment as early as possible. Self-referrals as well as referrals from all members of the University community are encouraged. In addition, the SACC recognizes the importance of confidential and early intervention in helping with full recovery. The SACC is available to answer questions, to provide information, or to suggest referral.

Insurance

In addition to mandatory health insurance, disability insurance is required for third and fourth year medical students and is optional for first and second year students. Students taking international electives are required to have appropriate overseas insurance coverage.