Student Wellness

Physical and emotional wellness are key to academic and professional success. Students have access to free fitness classes and facilities at the Medical Sciences Building in Scranton and services through:

•  Student Health Services
•  Student Psychological Services
•  TimelyCare
•  Community providers

You can also take advantage of:

•  The CARE Team (log in required) helps students who have concerning behaviors or thoughts. 
•  Geisinger Peer Support (GPS) (log in required) is a group dedicated to promoting a deeper sense of understanding amongst peers about resilience, positive psychology and self-compassion. GPS is a student-led, virtually-run group and a safe community designed to address academic stress, interpersonal conflicts, imposter syndrome, feelings of isolation and general mental health concerns. You’ll be able to connect with a group of students to discuss these topics and much more. Peer support is available to any Geisinger College student, including medical students, nursing students and graduate students. Peer supporters receive formal training to provide confidential emotional support, facilitate discussions about mental health and wellness, share knowledge, offer coping skills and connect students with resources. If you have any questions, contact any member of the leadership team: Paul “Nathan” Enick, Yousef Hakim and Andrew Jurgielewicz.

Our Department of Medical Education, Division of Student Affairs, Office of Research and Scholarship and the library work together to nurture students’ intellectual growth. Resources include:

•  Faculty support – Preclinical students can take advantage of faculty office hours. We also offer a specialty mentoring program focused on clinical advising and career development.
•  The Center for Learning Excellence (CLE) – This office oversees peer mentoring and provides academic and accessibility support for all students.
•  Regional education specialists – This team oversees student clinical scheduling and academic advising for clinical campus students.
•  The Office of Research and Scholarship – Our biomedical research and training programs target health issues prevalent in northeastern and central Pennsylvania.
•  Library
•  Student Education Group (SEG) – This group gives students a voice in the curriculum and other issues.

We help students connect with nature and a healthy environment during medical school.

•  Natural environment – Our student gardening club manages a community garden in Scranton. Our wellness hub includes information on local parks and trails. And we’re building a community exchange program to give students, faculty and staff a way to share goods, reducing waste and building community. 
•  Medical Sciences Building and regional campuses – The newly-renovated building houses the Center for Student Well-Being. Each regional campus site provides dedicated space for students.
•  Learning environment – We offer monthly forums with Geisinger College, where students can discuss anything on their minds. They can also use our online forms to register concerns — or recognize fellow students’ achievements.

The Center for Student Well-Being is home to meditation and prayer rooms. Or students can join a student group to connect spiritually with fellow students.

Occupational wellness is supported through the Center for Career Development. Our Career Pathways Program helps students form their professional identity, using the AAMC Careers in Medicine model. 

Students also meet with an assigned career coach and have access to mentors in multiple specialties and subspecialities.

We want students to build positive relationships and offer resources that include:

•  Student affairs and engagement, including student government and student groups  
•  Learning communities at each regional campus 
•  A Health and Wellness Committee that gives students a voice in wellness issues 
•  Geisinger Peer Support (GPS) (log in required)