November 2005 brought the latest film adaptation of the popular Harry Potter books, chronicling the adventures of students possessing magic powers as they attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Matriculating students at Hogwarts attend a “sorting” ceremony at which they take turns donning an enchanted hat that assesses their personalities and then assigns them to one of four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin.
August 2003 saw the comparatively low-key introduction of four new advising societies at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. No magical hat was to be found, but utterance
of the society names conjures up visions of some of the medical school’s most notable alumni and faculty members: Blackwell, Robbins, Satcher and Wearn.
Medical students will remain members of their assigned societies throughout their time in school and beyond. The groups aim to foster close relationships and a sense of community among the students, and
the deans of the societies are serving as mentors, helping students navigate the curriculum. As the students progress in their education, the society deans will provide advice on residency and
career planning.
Serving as the society deans are:
- Robert Haynie, M.D., Ph.D., a 1978 alumnus of the medical school, 1972 alumnus of the School of Graduate Studies, associate dean for student affairs and associate clinical professor
of medicine;
- Elizabeth “Lissa” McKinley, M.D., M.P.H., a 1987 medical alumna and assistant professor of medicine;
- Steven Ricanati, M.D., a 1995 medical alumnus and assistant professor
of medicine; and
- C. Kent Smith, M.D., senior associate dean for students and professor of family medicine.
Dr. Haynie, who has been associate dean for student affairs since 2001, said he has appreciated the new society system. “The structure allows me to deal with issues other than just ‘problems’ which
in the past made the Office of Student Affairs similar to that of a principal’s office,” he said.
Dr. Smith agreed: “We can already see the benefits of the program in its early stages.” Students will continue to see benefits, too,
Dr. Haynie said. “Since all four years will be represented
in each society, there will be cross-communication between years one through four,” which hasn’t been facilitated in the past, he said.
Dr. McKinley said she is “thrilled” to be working closely with medical students. “As a society dean, I have the incredible opportunity to help shape the medical school experience for a large
number of students, and if I can help students navigate through these four years to a career that fits them and gives them life satisfaction, I’ve really accomplished something.”
In a way, Dr. Ricanati said, his service as a society dean is a repayment to those who have counseled him in the past. “I have benefited from great mentoring, and I am interested in sharing
my experiences and talents with students,” he said, adding, “The society deans create a safety net to encourage students with a clear direction. I hope that the society deans will foster independence
among the students but also be around to assist them when help is needed.”
Dr. McKinley said she hopes the societies develop along with the students. “I hope to see these societies grow into true learning communities where the society is truly the framework for students’ experiences,” she
said. “I hope that students in all classes will begin to identify themselves with their own society and begin to take responsibility for helping to teach and mentor new students within their
own societies.”
Now that would be charming.
Content By: Lois A. Bowers
You can learn more about services offered by the Office of Student Affairs at http://casemed.case.edu/student_affairs/academic.cfm |
