Introduction
Section: School of Medicine Prospectus
With 125 schools of medicine, each unlike any other, the American system for medical education is among the world's largest and best. Faced with such a wide range of diverse options, the aspiring medical student and physician could well ask: What are the defining differences of Georgetown University School of Medicine? If I choose to attend, will I be able to achieve my personal and professional goals here?
Georgetown's location in the nation's capital -- an international crossroads, home of the renowned National Institutes of Health, and one of the world's most culturally exciting cities - certainly makes it unique. More distinguishing, however, is
Georgetown's philosophy. The Sc
hool of
Medicine is heir to the long and rich Catholic and Jesuit tradition of caring for the sick. From its inception
Georgetown has been committed to the pursuit of knowledge in service of the community. The Georgetown medical experience is centered in cura personalis -- care for the whole person, the psychological, spiritual and social as well as physical well being of the person and a dedication to the care of others and the health needs of our society. This philosophy finds expression in research and in scholarship, as well as in the dialogue of science and service, faith and technology.
It also animates basic science and clinical education. Today Georgetown's tradition of excellence in clinical education is perpetuated not only through the diversity of the patient populations that
Georgetown medical students encounter but also through their early exposure to clinical care.
Georgetown's curriculum includes departmentalized instruction in the basic sciences, early introduction to clinical, particularly ambulatory, care, a wide range of electives, and time for independent study. Different teaching styles enrich the curriculum's objectives. Such teaching methods as patient oriented problem solving, small group sessions, and one-on-one instruction challenge each student to learn core biomedical science knowledge in the context of patient problems drawn from the bedside and the clinic.
Several service-based and advocacy opportunities are available in the first and second year through the Office of Medical Education. Prior to graduation, each student must fulfill a twenty hour community service requirement. S/he selects experiences as diverse as volunteer opportunities with various organizations throughout the DC metro area, to the Health Rights course wherein students participate in research projects concerning advocacy, health policy, and social justice, to summer internships with local and national non-profit organizations. The
School of
Medicine also hosts the Leaders in Health Care Lecture Series which brings innovative thinkers, change agents and advocates for improved health access and health care to the
Georgetown community to discuss their work, exchange ideas, and challenge the systems and structures that may impede fair and equitable quality care to all.
The programs for biomedical research not only enrich the whole educational environment but also provide the medical student with opportunities to investigate as well as to learn.
Georgetown 's concern for the spiritual and ethical dimensions of medical practice contributes to its distinctiveness and finds expression in an integrated, longitudinal ethical and cultural competency course. This course combines exposure to the ethical dimensions of medical care as well as the religious and cultural traditions associated with it. In addition, the course not only addresses the major ethical dilemmas encountered in clinical practice but also aims to promote the reflective exercise of moral agency by students and their acquisition of moral reasoning skills.
Finally, the uniqueness of Georgetown's School of Medicine resides in the tangible sense of the philosophy played out in the basic science and the clinical experience creating a community of scholars and healers who are challenged to achieve their personal potential, dedicated to healing the individual patient, and committed to serving the health care needs of the community and to advocating for those who have no voice in our society. This unique community contributes to the care of the sick and the progress of medicine. Challenge, choice and community are
Georgetown 's defining differences.