MD with Distinction in Health Policy

The MD with Distinction in Health Policy designation recognizes students who distinguish themselves by conducting meaningful activities in health policy during the course of their medical school training. 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.

Applications

Students must submit 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.

Applicable Research

Health Policy activities may be conducted at UT Southwestern or at other institutions, subject to approval of the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research.

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 benefit from the experience of a mentor and committee in structuring their program and are therefore encouraged to apply early.

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.

Process

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 and will be responsible for forwarding the completed proposal to the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research.

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.

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.