Class of 2028 UConn medical student Josie Ford, 26, hails from South Burlington, Vermont. This May, just like the rest of her rising third-year medical school classmates at UConn, she began clinical care rotation training also known as “clerkships.”

The UConn School of Medicine held a ceremony on April 27 for the Class of 2028 as part of the Kickoff course, the official start to Stage 2 of the medical school curriculum for these rising third-year students. The medical students all recited the Hippocratic Oath once again as they prepared for their transition to clinical training rotation experiences across the fields of medicine.

Depending on the course, clerkships are scheduled in either 4- or 6-week rotations.  The third year of medical school consists of 12 required courses, 11 of which are clerkships in Medicine (Ambulatory and Inpatient), Pediatrics (Ambulatory and Inpatient), Family Medicine, Geriatrics (longitudinal and threaded through Psychiatry and Family Medicine), Neurology, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Psychiatry, Radiology (longitudinal), and Surgery. Health Systems Science is also a required course and consists of content integrated within the required core clerkships. 

For example, Ford is training first by helping care for patients Monday through Friday with community physician preceptor Dr. Paul Sullivan. Ford is training alongside Sullivan learning how to care for patients within his Trinity Health of New England-Medical Group’s Family Medicine practice, located in the shadow of UConn Health’s campus on nearby South Road in Farmington.

One of the key reasons Ford says she chose UConn for medical school is because she heard from UConn alum how UConn offers the best clinical training experiences – and now she knows they were absolutely right.

“I think I speak for most of my class when I say that we have been looking forward to this moment, to starting rotations, since applying to medical school,” Ford says. “My classmates and I are finally met with the privilege of the role of doctor in training.”

Just a few weeks into clerkship Ford already has an immense respect for Family Medicine physicians and providers as they expertly and efficiently manage chronic conditions, preventive care, and much more, all while building trusting longitudinal relationships with their patients.

“I have a lot to learn still, but thus far it has been rewarding to apply what we learned in CoRE, clinical reasoning, and other classes over the past five blocks to patients in the clinic,” says Ford. “The last time I was in a hospital I was a nursing assistant during the COVID-19 pandemic, and then, as a clinical research coordinator, consenting and collecting research specimens from patients with blood cancer. These are important jobs, and what I learned from those roles is a large part of the reason I am where I am today.”

Ford is already enjoying most the unique medical student luxury of having more time to spend with patients.

“Every patient has a story, and having the space to sit with them, hear their story, and contextualize their health and goals is what I am most looking forward to. I am also looking forward to learning from my attendings, residents, nurses, and other clinical team members across multiple clinical sites this year. I think that the little pearls of wisdom from all these sources help to shape the physicians we will grow to be,” Ford says.

Her next clinical rotation experience will be in psychiatry at The Hospital of Central Connecticut.

Rising third-year med student Will Bryant, 24, of Ridgefield, Conn. is first rotating through Obstetrics & Gynecology at Hartford Hospital to train each weekday.

“Starting my first clinical rotation has been both exhilarating and nerve-wracking; I love it,” Bryant exclaims. “This new style of learning has pushed me outside of my comfort zone while simultaneously reinforcing why I chose medicine. Every day, I learn something new and become more capable, comfortable, and confident in caring for patients.”

Bryant says, “It’s been incredibly exciting to finally apply everything I’ve learned to patient care in the hospital setting. Being part of a healthcare team and seeing the nuances of real-world medicine has been profoundly educational and fulfilling. I’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn from many physicians so far. I’ve especially enjoyed learning from resident physician Elliana Gianocopoulos, who has been an exceptional educator and an invaluable mentor on this rotation,” Bryant shares.

What’s next for Bryant?

His next clerkship is in surgery at UConn John Dempsey Hospital at UConn Health.

“I love working with patients and contributing positively to their care. I’m extremely grateful to be in a position where I can make a tangible difference in patients’ lives. I’m excited to further develop my clinical skills and see what the rest of this year has to offer!”