Stage 2: Clinical Immersion

Stage 2 of the curriculum offers students an experience designed to prepare them for their clinical careers. It begins with flexible time, allowing students to focus on board preparation, electives, research, or vacation. A one-week kickoff session equips students with the tools and knowledge to thrive in their upcoming clerkships.

Clerkship Structure
The clerkships are organized into four 12-week blocks:

• PPN Rotation: Four weeks each of Ambulatory Pediatrics, Inpatient Pediatrics, and Neurology.
• Internal Medicine Block: Four weeks of Ambulatory Medicine, six weeks of Inpatient Medicine, and two weeks for an elective or vacation.
• FMP Rotation: Six weeks each of Family Medicine and Psychiatry, with a longitudinal geriatrics experience integrated throughout the block.
• OGS Rotation: Six weeks of Obstetrics and Gynecology and six weeks of Surgery.

Longitudinal Learning
Radiology is taught throughout Stage 2 with mini-assessments placed throughout the year to align learning with clerkship progression. Additionally, students continue their participation in the Clinical Learning Integration Curriculum (CLIC) course during this phase.

Home Weeks
Students return to the School of Medicine for two "Home Weeks":

• Fall Home Week: Focuses on palliative care.
• Spring Home Week: Prepares students for Stage 3 with advanced clinical skills training.

Advanced Clinical Time
Following the spring Home Week, students have eight weeks of "Advanced Clinical" time, offering opportunities for electives, 3rd-year clerkships, board study, 4th-year required rotations, research, or vacation.

Assessment and Examinations
Throughout this stage of the curriculum, students are assessed on each clerkship through clinical evaluations as well as summative knowledge-based assessments. At the end of Stage 2, students must pass a comprehensive clinical skills assessment, where they are tested on over a dozen common scenarios using trained patient instructors. This is followed by the USMLE Step 2.