M.D., with Distinction in Health Policy

I. Purpose: To recognize students who distinguish themselves by conducting meaningful activities in health policy during the course of their medical school training.

II. Outcome: Individuals satisfying the program requirements will be recognized at graduation and on their diploma as receiving the degree of: Doctor of Medicine, with Distinction in Health Policy.

III. Rationale: To provide a vehicle to encourage individuals with interests in Health Policy to develop their capabilities as part of their medical school training.

Program Outline

- An outline of the program will be provided at the time of acceptance into medical school.

- Students will required to make a formal application to the program. They may do so upon acceptance to UT Southwestern or at subsequent times, but application to the program should be made prior to conducting the activities that will constitute the basis for seeking the Distinction in Health Policy. The application can be downloaded here.

- Applicable activities:

Health Policy activities may be conducted at UT Southwestern or at other institutions, subject to approval of the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research (approval will be based on a description of the activities and the role of the prospective student [including the number of contact hours].

The relevant activities may be performed beginning with the summer preceding enrollment at UT Southwestern, or at any time during medical school training. Work done prior to formal application and acceptance into the program may be considered as meeting the criteria for completion. However, students will benefit from the experience of a mentor and committee in structuring their program and are therefore encouraged to apply early. While it is hoped that students would complete the program, there is no academic obligation to do so.

Eligible activities may be in any area of health policy research or implementation.

Activities should encompass a minimum of 16 weeks. Acceptable activities might include those related to participation in a congressional health care fellowship. Other activities may fulfill the requirement, but must be reviewed and approved in advance by the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research.

Activities successfully performed as requirements for another degree may not be applied to this program.

Activities performed under the auspices of a nationally recognized Health Policy program may be used to fulfill these degree requirements

- Upon application, a committee will be assembled, comprised of two or more faculty in the department or administrative unit under whose auspices the activities are to be conducted. This committee will be responsible for assuring that the subject matter and scope of the project are adequate (Administrative approval), and will be responsible for forwarding the completed proposal to the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research (Programmatic approval).

- The student's progress will be monitored by the mentor and by his/her committee. As the project period nears completion, a summary document (portfolio) will be submitted to the committee describing the objectives, programs, and activities that the student has conducted during the .fellowship. - After approval of this document by the committee, the fellowship summary - together with the committee recommendation - will be forwarded to the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research for review. Following approval by the Associate Dean, a formal presentation describing the student activities will be made to an audience that includes the members of the student's committee. A copy of this document (portfolio) will be archived within the library collection (electronic thesis and dissertation format is required according to the library guidelines; print submission is optional). The formal signed paperwork will be kept by the Associate Dean.

- Following approval by the Associate Dean, a recommendation with a brief summary of the student activities will be forwarded to the Faculty Council for approval that the student graduate with the degree of:

"M.D., with Distinction in Health Policy"

- Faculty Council will need to approve awarding of this honor by September of the fourth year of medical school for inclusion in the dean's letter, or at the latest by February of the last year for inclusion on the diploma.

- In the event that a student disagrees with the decision of the committee or the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research, it is first the obligation of the student to make a good faith effort to resolve the matter with the faculty member(s) involved. Further appeals should be directed to the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research, and then to the Dean of Southwestern Medical School. The determination of the dean is final.