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MD orientation

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine takes pride in the attention given to assuring success in the transitions students face in adjusting to the medical environment. Through a comprehensive and collaborative effort, students are welcomed to understand and live out the mission and values of Geisinger Commonwealth.

Geisinger Commonwealth hosts orientation every fall for our students. In addition to the initial orientation program for all incoming students, the Office of Student Affairs holds mandatory MD2, MD3 and MD4 orientation sessions as students enter each year to ensure that they are prepared and supported for the next step in their curriculum and responsibilities as a medical student. 

Incoming medical students can expect the following outcomes from active participation in the program:

  • A sense of familiarity and comfort with the school and opportunities to become acquainted with the local community
  • Opportunities for meaningful interactions with peers, returning students, faculty, staff and administration to begin the process of promoting community
  • Referrals for academic support based on outcomes of pre-matriculation assessments
  • Models and the means by which students can become involved in the life of the college and achieve success in their academic life, social relationships and out-of-class learning experiences
  • A foundation for how the curriculum goals reflect our community-based, patient-centered, interprofessional mission of education and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies
  • Communication of the expectations of the school regarding academic responsibility and professional integrity, academic advising and career advising, exposure to infectious environmental hazards, immunization requirements, teacher-learner relationship, student mistreatment, student records and disciplinary action policies
  • An understanding of the resources available to support students in their holistic learning experience, including specific training and information about public safety, the medical library, information technology, diversity, counseling services, academic support, the student health center and financial aid

MBS orientation

The School of Graduate Education works closely with students from orientation through graduation to provide an environment in which they can meet their educational potential and actualize their career and professional goals. The orientation program is designed to facilitate students’ adjustment to the curriculum and to provide students with an opportunity to become acquainted with their new environment. Students can expect the following outcomes from active participation in the program:

  • An understanding of how the MBS curriculum goals reflect our community-based, patient-centered, interprofessional mission   
  • An exploration of the professional careers paths in healthcare delivery, biomedical research and industry that are available through the MBS degree
  • An opportunity to meet with an academic advisor who will continue to assist students in developing and actualizing their educational and professional goals as they matriculate through the curriculum
  • A sense of familiarity and comfort with the college through opportunities to become acquainted with faculty, colleagues and community partners active in all Geisinger Commonwealth programs
  • Communication of the expectations of the college regarding academic responsibility and professional integrity, academic advising and career advising, student mistreatment, student records, and disciplinary action policies
  • An understanding of the resources available to support students in their holistic learning experience, including specific training and information about public safety, the medical library, information technology, diversity, counseling services, academic support, the student health center and financial aid