University of Cincinnati medical students help shape new interdisciplinary training pathways

As an undergraduate, University of Cincinnati fourth-year medical student Shalini Roy double-majored in biomolecular sciences and film. Opportunities to combine her interests had been rare — but if she was looking for them, other students probably were too.

“I was hoping to create a space for students who are passionate about the humanities to come together and work on projects that complement our medical training,” said Roy. “I realized I don’t have to choose between the arts and medicine. They can go hand in hand."

Roy connected with Alice Mills, MD, MPH, director of career development in the College of Medicine’s Office of Student Affairs, who was already developing the larger framework of the new Interdisciplinary Medical Pathways Across Training (IMPAcT) program. The initiative offers long-term tracks that provide enhanced learning experiences, a community of peers and mentors in specific areas of interest. And one of the first tracks to launch is Humanities and Arts in Medicine. 

It’s part of a growing trend in medical education. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) now has the Fundamental Role of Arts and Humanities in Medical Education (FRAHME) initiative.

“Our students have a wide range of interests and talents,” said Mills, now the IMPAcT program director. “This gives them an opportunity to pursue those while preparing for their future roles as physicians, and it helps them stand out when applying for residency.”

Roy and fellow fourth-year medical student Jacob Sebree serve on the program’s advisory committee.

“I firmly believe that becoming a physician is more than learning clinical knowledge. It’s also developing the values, perspectives and sense of purpose that define the profession,” said Sebree. “We’ve worked to ensure these programs enrich the student experience without taking away from the already robust curriculum.”

Two interdisciplinary pathways

The IMPAcT program fits alongside the other pathways of distinction offered as part of UC’s medical education, said Rhia Pratt, the program’s coordinator in the Office of Student Affairs.

It’s designed to help students prepare for residency by supporting both their professional development and their personal well-being as they learn to provide compassionate, evidence-based patient care.

“Caring for patients always comes first, but improving health often means stepping into other roles, too,” Roy said. “Through these pathways, students can explore interests that complement clinical care and think more broadly about how to serve our communities."

The program will launch this academic year with two initial tracks: Humanities and Arts in Medicine and Healthy Communities. Additional pathways will follow, possibly in ethics, global health, health care administration, innovation and technology, and medical education.

The Healthy Communities pathway will focus on the social determinants of health, advocacy and health policy. Its codirectors are Mills and Salima Sewani, MD, adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and UC Health hospital medicine physician.

“When I was a student in the College of Medicine, I had the opportunity to engage in service learning and community outreach, which deepened my understanding of the barriers many people face in accessing care. These experiences shaped my approach to medicine and reinforced the importance of patient-centered care,” said Sewani. “Now the Healthy Communities pathway will offer students the chance to explore the social and structural factors that influence health and will inspire them to lead change efforts as future physicians.”

The Humanities and Arts in Medicine pathway will integrate the arts and humanities into medicine to foster empathy, communication and teamwork. Its codirectors are Elizabeth Lanphier, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics and clinical ethicist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital; Emily Nurre, MD, MPH, adjunct associate professor in the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine and epileptologist in the UC Health Epilepsy Center; and Margaret Powers-Fletcher, PhD, Discovery Amplified director in the College of Arts and Sciences dean's office and adjunct associate professor in the Department of Medical Education in the College of Medicine.

A partnership with the College of Arts and Sciences, facilitated by Powers-Fletcher’s involvement as a pathway codirector, will expand opportunities for mentorship, interdisciplinary projects and experiential learning. “We are beginning to network across all of UC's colleges and institutes now and as more pathways launch,” she said.

Program details and partnerships

Program applications will be open Dec. 1 to Feb. 1, and up to eight first-year students will be selected per pathway (a maximum of 16). The first cohort will begin in March and continue through graduation, participating in lectures, workshops and experiential learning, and working on an in-depth project guided by mentors.

“The flexibility of the project lets students dive into an area they truly care about,” said Roy. “It helps build leadership skills that can be carried throughout their careers.”

Those interested in mentoring, speaking or supporting student experiences can contact Mills at alice.mills@uc.edu. To support student summer stipends, reach out to Andrew Polter at the UC Foundation at polterat@foundation.uc.edu.