Fellowship in Medical Humanities: Application Information
Purpose of the Program
The one-year Fellowship in Medical Humanities (FIMH) provides medical students the chance to study a healthcare topic within any humanities discipline that may interest them considerably, but that cannot be explored adequately within the constraints of the regular curriculum. The program encourages medical students to research aspect of healthcare within George Engel’s medical framework, to consider their places and those of their patients in relationship to self, family, community, nation, and biosphere. And to do so, students will use materials and methodologies of the humanities disciplines, including literature, fine arts, philosophy, ethics, religious studies, visual and cultural studies, law and history. Exceptional projects in social sciences, such as anthropology, will also be considered.
The Fellowship does not support completion of degree programs at other institutions. The Fellowship cannot be deferred from the year in which it is granted.
Program Overview
The Fellowship is intended to provide an intellectual opportunity and funding for substantive and innovative humanities-focused projects on medical topics or issues. Those wishing to undertake substantial creative works, such as writing, visual, or performing arts, depicting topics in health and healing are also welcome to apply for this award. FIMH is a competitive, paid fellowship sponsored by the Division of Medical Humanities and Office of Medical Education available for one year. During that time, students receive a stipend of $18,000 (broken down into bi-weekly installments) to cover living and research expenses ( please note: Students applying for year out funding and who are eligible for Federal Work Study will receive $4,500 from the University and $13,500 from Federal Work Study for a maximum yearly award of $18,000, which is dispersed bi-weekly. Students who are not eligible for Federal Work Study will receive a maximum $4,500 award from the University, which will be paid on a bi-weekly basis. Students who are not eligible for work-study are highly encouraged to seek other funding sources. Please contact the Director of Financial Aid to determine work-study eligibility).
The Fellowship research work itself consists primarily of independent study, information collection and analysis, and completion of a substantial product, whether as a long essay or thesis, or creative work. The student must secure an advisor or, where appropriate, co-advisors in Rochester and at the site(s) of their research work with expertise in the student’s research area to serve as mentor/advisor the student.
The student will need to demonstrate appropriate skills and background knowledge for the project and to identify specific skills and knowledge relevant to his/her project which will need to be further developed, and how this will be achieved (through course work, individual tutorial sessions or other learning activities with supervisor (s) in Rochester or at other institutions or settings as appropriate.
The student is required to submit a substantial final draft of their project to all project advisors upon completion of their Fellowship year for review, and arrange to meet with his/her primary supervisor(s) in person within 3 months after the completion of the Fellowship. A final revised clean copy must be submitted by December 31 of a student’s final year of medical school to the Director of the Division of Medical Humanities for dissemination to the student’s Advisory Dean, FIMH Review Committee, advisors and others. The final revisions and editing of the projects may be done in part through the Medical Humanities Independent Research Project elective, MHU 950.
During the course of the fellowship year, FIMH students are required to have regular communication with their Advisory Deans and also their project advisors, submitting monthly written progress reports and action plans for review. Students are also encouraged to seek involvement and research guidance from other URSMD faculty with expertise in their FIMH topic. Fellows are also expected to submit basic outlines and drafts of their work-in-progress, to allow their advisors and other readers appropriate time to make critiques before the completion of the Fellowship. The student’s advisor assigns the thesis or project a rating of Pass, Fail, or Honors. The Division of Medical Humanities will also support students who have excelled in their Fellowship if they wish to publish all or part of their thesis.
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry students become eligible to participate in this program after the successful completion of their first year, and remain eligible until their graduation. FIMH terms begin in July and extend until the following summer, with the thesis defense to occur prior to that following October 31. FIMH projects need to be feasible in that time frame.
Application
Medical Humanities faculty are available to review drafts of proposals and application components, and are also prepared to help students seeking project ideas or mentors. Applicants to the program must submit the following to the Division of Medical Humanities Office by February 2, 2007:
( suggested word limit for each section 300- 500 words)
- biographical information sheet
- personal statement (why this Fellowship would enhance your learning and career goals)
- official URSMD transcript
- research proposal including:
- Background to the project
- Rationale for the project (explain why and how this project is useful)
- Project Statement (describe what you expect as final product)
- Methodology
- Budget ( up to one page on how monies will be used)
- Dissemination of your Project (identify your audience and/.or community and possible journals, presses, national conferences, workshops, lecture opportunities)
- Timeline for research (up to one page; use headings and bullets)
- Advisor(s) and Institution(s) (explain the role of each and areas of expertise)
- letter of recommendation
- letter of project endorsement by the Medical Humanities faculty member who wishes to serve as that student’s thesis advisor.
Selection is determined by factors including timeliness and completion of application; the nature of the project with respect to its appropriateness, originality, and significance; quality of the research proposal and supporting materials; the student’s academic and technical preparation for completing the project; feasibility of the project with the time and resources allotted; and the overall number of applications received. Students who receive the FIMH award are required to submit their proposal to RSRB for approval or exemption.
Applicants will be interviewed by the FIMH Review Committee in late February/early March and will notify applicants of its decision in March 2007. To submit your application, either drop it off in person to the Division of Medical Humanities in Rm 1-6321 across from Miner Library, or mail it to the following address:
Rm 1-6321 University of Rochester Medical Center
601 Elmwood Ave., Box 676
Rochester, New York 14642
Contact Division of Medical Humanities to arrange for mentors or to have drafts of your application reviewed.
Deadline for receipt of completed applications will be February 10, 2007
Application Checklist:
- Biographical information sheet
- Personal statement
- Official URSMD transcript
- Research proposal
- Letter of recommendation
- Letter of project endorsement
FIMH Review Committee will interview applicants in late February/early March and notify applicants of their award status by end of March 2007.
Any questions? Please contact Andrea Ehmann or any of the Medical Humanities Faculty for help: (585) 275-580;fax:(585) 506-0162;
email: andrea_ehmann@urmc.rochester.edu.
