Vertically Integrated Program - Cancer (VIP-C)
Arising from a listening session about challenges faced by junior clinician-scientist faculty and supported by leadership of physician-scientist training programs across campus, vertically-integrated programs (VIP) are a novel concept to enhance cohesiveness across the different stages of career development.
VIP brings together trainees and faculty around shared focused areas of interest, offering opportunities for training, discussion, and networking. In a highly segregated educational environment, VIP offers a solution for greater harmonization.
First launched by Dr. James Brugarolas in Cancer, VIPs are expected to develop in multiple areas including metabolism, neuroscience, vascular biology, and immunology.
Activities
VIP-C hosts monthly events, including:
Research presentations by faculty and students
Panel discussions
Debates
Networking and social events
In addition, VIP-C members have access to a Teams Channel, which serves as a:
Networking venue to promote interaction between trainees and faculty
Vehicle to learn about research and other opportunities
Information resource
Eligibility
All UT Southwestern Medical Center students, trainees, and faculty are eligible to participate.
How to apply
Please send an email to Dr. Brugarolas (c.o. Kiki Fuller KCPAdmin@utsouthwestern.edu).
To be included in the Teams Channel, please reach out to Dr. Joshua Gruber (joshua.gruber@utsouthwestern.edu) or Dr. Ken Westover (kenneth.westover@utsouthwestern.edu), VIP-C channel administrators.
Representation
Representation is sought from all stakeholders. Representatives meet every other month to brainstorm about VIP-C initiatives and future development.
MS (1-2 years): Tidie Song; Vice-Delegate: Josh Goh
MS (3-4 years): Maishara Muquith; Vice-Delegate: Galen Gao
MSTP-1 (pre-Ph.D.): Holly Guo; Vice-Delegate: Ben Kroger
MSTP-2 (post-Ph.D.): Jordan Driskill, Ph.D.; Vice-Delegate: Michael Trinh, Ph.D.
Internal Medicine: Kristina Collins, M.D.
Pediatrics: Joseph Formella, M.D.
General Surgery: Gilbert Murimwa, M.D. (TARDIS)
Fellowship: William (Scott) Schwartzman, M.D.
Junior Faculty: Yuanyuan (Faith) Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.; Vice-delegate: Joshua Gruber, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Faculty: James Brugarolas, M.D., Ph.D.; Vice-delegate: Kenneth Westover, M.D., Ph.D.
