Medical Student Education Update
March 2026
University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry Policies
The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (URSMD) has updated and revised important medical student policies. Students, residents and faculty should be aware of these policies to optimize the learning environment. Policies and Procedures are located, in full, in the URSMD student handbook.
The Teacher-Learner polices can be directly accessed by visiting: https://mdpolicies.urmc.edu
Class of 2026 Match Results
On Friday, March 20th, students from the SMD Class of 2026 learned where they would be completing their residency. Students will branch out for training in 25 different specialties. Top among them are: Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Child Neurology and Neurology, Psychiatry. They will train in 22 different states and the District of Columbia. Forty-two will stay in New York state and of those, 30 will get training at URMC.
To read more about this year's match, click here.
*********************************************************************************************************
Alpha Omega Class of 2026Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), founded in 1902, is the national medical honor society. Dedicated to the belief that in the profession of medicine we will improve care for all by recognizing high educational achievement, honoring gifted teaching, encouraging the development of leaders along with supporting the ideals of humanism while promoting service to others. Whitney Black |
*********************************************************************************************************
Gold Humanism Honor Society Class of 2026
The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) recognizes students, residents and faculty who are exemplars of compassionate patient care and who serve as role models, mentors, and leaders in medicine. GHHS members are peer nominated and are the ones that others say they want taking care of their own family.
Membership in GHHS goes beyond selection and induction into an honor society. Its members have a responsibility to model, support, and advocate for compassionate, patient-centered care throughout their careers. The creation of a GHHS chapter signifies to the medical community that an institution places high value on the interpersonal skills and attitudes that are essential for the highest level of patient care.
It is with pleasure we announce the Class of 2026 Gold Humanism Honor Society recipients.
Erica Andersen
Whitney Black
Jack Bookbinder
Alyssa Deacon
Ammu Dinesh
Felicia Guo
Brittany Hodges*
Alexandra Kaplan
Hisaaki Kawabata
Camila Lage
Nikki Neequaye
Katherine (Riley) Okeson
Joshua Rosario
Anna Russell
Oumou Toure
Noah Tsao
Steven Weiner
*Elected by the class of 2025– inducted with the class of 2026
The 176th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 16, for undergraduate and graduate students from all schools, kicks off Commencement Weekend filled with graduation ceremonies and memorable events that continue through Sunday, May 18.
The University will celebrate all members of the Class of 2025 from all schools during at the University Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 8:45 am, in Fauver Stadium at the Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex on the River Campus. This event will include the conferral of academic degrees for both undergraduates and graduates by President Mangelsdorf, processions of students from all schools in regalia, faculty representatives and a platform party of guests and dignitaries. This year’s address will be delivered by Jeannine Shao Collins ’86, chief client officer at multiplatform advertising and media company Kargo. Graduates will not cross the stage and diplomas will not be distributed at the University Commencement Ceremony.
The School of Medicine and Dentistry (MD program) will host a Graduation Ceremony to honor our medical students at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. This special ceremony will feature a procession of MD graduates in regalia, faculty representatives, a platform party, a faculty speaker selected by the students, and a student representative. Graduates will individually cross the stage to receive their diplomas.
This year's keynote address will be given by John (Jack) Rowe, MD. Dr. Rowe is the Julius B. Richmond Professor of Health Policy and Aging at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. He is the former executive chairman and CEO of Aetna, one of the nation’s leading healthcare and health-related benefits organizations. Renowned as an expert in geriatrics and the science of aging, Dr. Rowe has authored over 200 scientific publications and co-authored the influential book Successful Aging.
*********************************************************************************************************
Regalia
Regalia is required for all marching faculty and can be ordered online as part of the registration process until Monday March 30.
Faculty must register to participate in any of the Commencement Weekend ceremonies (including the SMD MD Graduation Ceremony) by Friday, May 1.
For additional details on faculty participation, click here.
Public Safety
585-275-3333 or x13 at any Blue Light Phone
RESTORE/Rape Crisis
(585) 546-2777
University Health Service
(585) 275-2662
University Counseling Center
(585) 275-3113
River Campus ID Office
(585) 275-3975
Medical Center ID Office
(585) 273-2000
University Parking
(585) 275-4524
Facilities
(585) 273-4567
The following videos, prepared by the Committee on Media Creation for Giving Effective Feedback at URSMD, provide a resource for faculty, residents, preceptors, small group leaders, and tutors in giving feedback to students.
There are many opportunities to teach medical students at URSMD. Different formats and options include:
- Clinical teaching in the clerkships
- Small Group teaching
- Serving as a Problem Based Learning tutor
- Serving as preceptor for Phase 1 and Phase 2 medical students in primary care offices.
Please contact the Office of Curriculum and Assessment at (585) 275-0827 to discuss the different options available.