Resources for Academic Support at DMS

There are lots of people at DMS who want to support you if at any time you find yourself not learning or performing as well as you'd like. They're here because most students need help of some type (sooner or later), and different kinds of assistance work better for different students. We hope you'll check out several of the resources listed below. And remember, asking for assistance when you need it shows good judgment and a commitment to excellence.

Course Instructors

• Content help, ideas for supplemental study material, understanding particular kinds of test questions

Course Directors

• Same as above; also help with course expectations and difficulties with course-presentation issues (handouts, organization, pace, etc.)

Clerkship Directors

• Guidance and troubleshooting in the clinical years

Director of Learning Services - Kalindi Trietley

• Learning strategies - time management and getting organized, test-taking, memory work, reading more effectively, putting a study plan together, shelf exam preparation
• Disability screening/advising (if you suspect there may be a learning problem of a more fundamental nature)
• Advocacy, supportive counseling, referrals
• Help with preparation for Step 1 of the Medical Boards

Director of the First Year - Dr. Gene Nattie

• Good advice on a wide variety of 1st-year issues, encouragement & advocacy
• Problem-solving (including larger issues such as academic jeopardy, course-load modification, or leaves of absence)

Director of SBM and Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education - Dr. David Nierenberg

• Good advice on variety of issues in year 2, encouragement & advocacy
• Problem-solving (including larger issues such as academic jeopardy, course-load modification, or leaves of absence)
• Advice on issues that are broader than those in one particular year of study - curriculum questions, Boards, professional conduct, etc.

Assistant Dean for Clinical Education - Dr. Eric Shirley

• Help with problems that arise in the clinical years that can't be solved on service or with the aid of a clerkship director

Society Leaders - Drs. O'Donnell, Bell, or Boyle

• Broad-based and supportive advice on many topics, from very experienced physicians
• Good advocates with good connections (also particularly valuable for making contacts to help you think about future career directions)

Tutoring Program - scheduled through Student Affairs (see Tina Wilcox)

• Second-year students (usually) who help with the content of specific courses; can help with filling in gaps, finding you when you feel "lost' in a course, and helping you check your understanding of material you feel uncertain about.

Counselors at Dick's House

• Excellent help with stress that's getting out of hand, personal/family crises, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse problems, phobias, etc. - all the psychological things that really affect learning. The service is completely confidential.

Student and Multicultural Affairs - Dr. Lori Alvord, Sue Ann Hennessy, Shawn O'Leary

• Not usually a source of academic support per se, but caring personal support and help with addressing issues that arise in the DMS/Upper Valley culture (both of which may contribute to overall well-being and success)

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