MSSP Program
For students wishing to apply to an MSSP, descriptions of each MSSP are in the listing below. The application process will open on August 18, 2025, following the Virtual Open House. The deadline for submission is October 10, 2025. You may apply by logging into MedOneStop, then click on the Extracurricular tab and select MSSP Application & Tracking.
Instructions on accessing and using the MSSP application and tracking page on MedOneStop can be found on this document MSSP MedOneStop Student Instructions (PDF).
The linked Informational PowerPoint with MSSP key points (PPT), will assist with UCCOM requirements for all MSSP's.
For faculty wanting to create a new Medical Student Scholars Program, please contact Gina Burg (gina.burg@uc.edu) for more information.
Medical Student Scholars Program
First year medical students with specialty interest are encouraged to apply for the respective specialty track in the Medical Student Scholars Program (MSSP) for a longitudinal experience throughout their four years. The MSSP tracks include: allergy/immunology, anesthesia, cardiovascular medicine, child and adolescent health, emergency medicine, ent, dermatology, family medicine, geriatrics, infectious disease, integrative and lifestyle medicine, nephrology, neuroscience, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, psychiatry-behavioral neuroscience, pulmonary medicine, surgery, and women’s health. Students accepted into MSSP track are engaged in educational experiences to expand fund of knowledge and skill set within a circumscribed area of interest. The clinical, didactic, service, and scholarly activities go above and beyond the required components of the medical school curriculum. Students will participate in a summer research opportunity between years one and two which is geared to engage students in research within the specialty track that will culminate with a goal to publish and/or present their work.
Students who successfully complete all MSSP requirements will have the MSSP distinction mentioned during the award of their medical degree at the College of Medicine’s Honors Day/Graduation ceremony.
To provide highly motivated students with a unique opportunity to explore a medical specialty in depth throughout their four years of medical school with mentorship and a summer research experience culminating in publication and/or presentation.
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The current Medical Student Scholars Program options are:
Contact:
Yashu Dhamija, MD
Email: dhamijyu@ucmail.uc.edu
The Department of Anesthesiology is pleased to offer two students per year an opportunity to gain additional clinical, didactic, and research experience within the field of Anesthesiology. This includes experience in some of the major anesthesiology subspecialties, including exposure to obstetric anesthesia care, critical care medicine, acute pain management, regional anesthesia, chronic pain management, and/or cardiothoracic anesthesia. This track will provide highly motivated students who are passionate about the field of Anesthesiology a unique opportunity to experience in depth clinical and research activities in the department throughout all four years of medical school. Students are required to complete a summer research scholarly project under the guidance of one of many research faculty. The UC Anesthesiology Research Division is one of the highest NIH funded academic research divisions in the country. Prior research is helpful, but not required.
***Given that only 2 students are chosen from a long list of applicants, we want to emphasize that any student who applies to the MSSP program but is not chosen will still get priority for POSSIBLE (not a guarantee) summer research projects (if still interested).
Contact:
Thomas James, MD
jamesto@ucmail.uc.edu
Admin Contact:
Julie Karpe
karpeje@ucmail.uc.edu
The Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease within the Department of Internal Medicine at the UC COM has created a specialized education and experiential learning track in Cardiovascular Medicine. One student per year will be admitted to this MSSP. The student will have the opportunity to work with and be mentored by a faculty member in the Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease as well as to participate in specially selected educational experiences within the division. There will be didactic opportunities as well as a research opportunity. – 1 student maximum
Contact:
Richard Becker, MD
513-558-1067
Richard.Becker@uc.edu
Cardiovascular Information Sheet (pdf)
The Medical Student Scholars Program (MSSP) in Child and Adolescent Health (Pediatrics) recognizes medical students who excel in scholastic exploration of the field of pediatrics. In conjunction with the UCCOM Pediatric Club, students recognized by the program will participate in a variety of pediatric-based clinical opportunities, attend lectures and seminars, perform volunteer or advocacy activities, have active leadership roles in the College of Medicine, and produce a scholarly product from their scientific research.
8-10 students maximum
Contact:
William Hardie, MD
(513) 636-4485
william.hardie@cchmc.org
Contact:
Cristin Shaughnessy, MD
Email: shaughcn@ucmail.uc.edu
Admin Contact:
Bethanny Stollar
Email: stollaby@ucmail.uc.edu
The scholarship track in Emergency Medicine was created in December 2014. Over three-and-a-half years, students will learn about the role of emergency medicine within the healthcare system and the art of caring for undifferentiated, acutely ill patients. Students will develop key procedural and communication skills through a combination of clinical experience, simulation, and discussion. Students are required to complete a scholarly project under the guidance of department residents and faculty. While geared specifically toward students with an early interest in emergency care, knowledge and skills gained will be applicable to any future medical specialty. – Up to 2 students maximum
***Given that only 2 students are chosen from a long list of applicants, we want to emphasize that any student who applies to the EM MSSP program but is not chosen will still get priority for POSSIBLE (not a guarantee) summer research projects (if still interested) over students who ask for EM research between M1-M2 year but did NOT apply to EM MSSP.
Contact:
Anita Goel, MD
513-558-8791
goelal@uc.edu
Contact:
Chad Zender, MD
Email: zendercd@ucmail.uc.edu
Admin Contact:
Angie Keith
Email: keithae@ucmail.uc.edu
The Family Medicine Scholars Program is a special 4 year longitudinal curriculum
for selected medical students. This track will provide highly motivated students a
unique opportunity to engage in preceptor-supervised educational experiences
that will expand upon their fund of knowledge and skill set within Family Medicine.
The designated students will participate in an array of mentored unique clinical and
didactic activities. The FMSP will supplement the required curriculum at UCCOM.
The FMSP will support students interested in exploring the different aspects of
Family Medicine including ambulatory primary care, sports medicine, pediatrics,
obstetrics, inpatient based care, urgent care, geriatrics, etc.
Contact:
Anisa Shomo MD
513-558-4020
Anisa.Shomo@uc.edu
Information Sheet (DOCX)
The Geriatric Medicine Student Scholars Program accepts up to eight students in each entering M1 class, with the expectation that they will all remain in this extracurricular program through the four years of their medical schooling. Their involvement includes (1) Attendance at monthly dinner-discussion sessions held eight times a year; (2) Participation in either the M3 or M4 geriatric medicine rotation; (3) Consideration of summer research in the filed of geriatric medicine or aging research. Individual mentorship with Dr. Schlaudecker and personalized learning goals for GMSS are both highly encouraged. – Up to 8 students maximum
Contact:
Jeffrey Schlaudecker, MD
Jeffrey.Schlaudecker@uc.edu
Information Sheet (PDF)
The Specialized Track in Infectious Diseases allows one student per year to enrich their COM educational experience over a four-year period with opportunities in the classroom, the clinical setting, and in either basic or clinical research. The student will engage in a mentoring relationship with a faculty member in the division and complete a scholarly project. - 1 student max
Contact:
Rajat Madan, MD
madanrt@ucmail.uc.edu
Admin Contact:
Justina Dunigan
dunigaja@ucmail.uc.edu
This MSSP is designed to broaden students' knowledge and experience with the fields of Integrative medicine and Lifestyle medicine in order to expand the students' expertise as a future physician and to promote self-care and wellness. 1-2 students per year
Contact:
Sian Cotton, PhD
cottons@ucmail.uc.edu
Admin Contact:
Kelly Lyle
woosleka@ucmail.uc.edu
Integrative Health Information Sheet (PDF)
Integrative Health Informational PPT with Voiceover
This specialized track housed in the Department of Medical Education (DME) will provide medical students with an opportunity to (1) expand their knowledge of teaching and learning theory, (2) develop and conduct a scholarship project within medical education, (3) create learning activities that (4) will be taught to and utilized by peers. Students will be required to participate in a broad range of meded activities, encompassing four domains (assessment, evaluation, curriculum design/didactic teaching and clinical teaching). Since medical education scholarship is broad, your scholarly project mentor could be from any department (i.e. not limited to DME).
The Medical Education MSSP is selective process based upon interest in education and the scholarship of teaching and learning – Up to 2 students maximum
Contact:
Aaron Marshall, Ph.D.
513-558-5615
marshaao@ucmail.uc.edu
Admin Contact:
Deena Maley
bairddm@ucmail.uc.edu
Medical Education Information Sheet
Medical Education Informational PowerPoint
Medical Education Informational Video
The Nephrology and Hypertension MSSP can accept up to two students per year. This program enriches their COM educational experience with opportunities to conduct clinical and translational research. Additionally, students can participate in educational conferences as well as clinical and procedural experiences in general nephrology and transplantation. The student will be paired with a faculty mentor and a project mentor when required. The division will provide monetary support, including the ability to attend regional/national conferences in nephrology. We expect that this experience allows them to understand different aspects of our subspecialty and we hope the students explore this discipline as a potential career path. – 1-2 student maximum
Contact:
Niralee Patel, MD
patel5nr@ucmail.uc.edu
513-558-5471
Theresa Huber
theresa.huber@uc.edu
Information Sheet (PDF)
This MSSP provides an enriched exposure in the neurosciences to students who demonstrate a strong interest. This enhanced experience is accomplished through a multi-disciplinary, longitudinal approach that bridges the pre-clinical and clinical years of student training. Activities include summer research, clinical and research mentoring, seminars, shadowing and required advanced clerkships. Adult and pediatric neurology, physical medicine, and neurosurgery comprise the major specialty areas. – Up to 8 students maximum
Contact:
Starla Wise, MD
513-558-0156
wises3@ucmail.uc.edu
Angie Bustamante
513-558-1754
bustamam@ucmail.uc.edu
Neuroscience Information Sheet (PDF)
Neuroscience Informational Video
Contact:
Teresa Meier, MD
Email: meierta@ucmail.uc.edu
Admin Contact:
Michelle Reinhart
Email: reinhamh@ucmail.uc.edu
The Ophthalmology MSSP is structured to give motivated students early exposure and longitudinal specialty mentorship in Ophthalmology. The objective of this MSSP is to support students interested in ophthalmology with guided career exploration, academic engagement, and goal-specific mentoring. - 3 students max
Contact:
Lisa Kelly, MD
kellyl5@ucmail.uc.edu
Admin Contact:
Michele Wyan
wyanme@ucmail.uc.edu
Contact:
Tonya Dixon MD
dixont2@ucmail.uc.edu
Gina Traylor
traylogs@ucmail.uc.edu
513-558-4516
Informational Sheet(PDF)
The Mental Health Medical Student Scholars Program provides opportunities for medical students to engage in research and clinical exposure, as well as departmental didactics with senior medical students and residents. You will meet monthly with educational track advisors, designing together a course of study & research based on your own interests in the field.
UC’s Department of Psychiatry boasts one of the top research departments in the nation, with multiple ongoing and new studies in Bipolar Affective Disorder, Schizophrenia, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Substance Abuse and Eating Disorders.
No fixed maximum for student-scholars; we try to fund all accepted applicants.
Contact:
Peirce Johnston MD
513-558-7700
peirce.johnston@uc.edu
Information Sheet (PDF)
The Pulmonary MSSP allows one to two students per year to enrich the standard College of Medicine curriculum with immersive experiences in the field of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. Students will be paired with a faculty research mentor, engaging in basic, translational, or clinical research over the summer between 1st and 2nd year, producing a presentation or manuscript at the end of the project. Opportunities will be available to extend the project longitudinally depending on interest. Meanwhile, students will be offered fellowship-level didactics and clinical opportunities ranging from critical care to outpatient pulmonology to advanced procedures like robotic bronchoscopy and medical thoracoscopy. Students will explore a potential career in the field while also being exposed to key aspects of internal medicine. Through these diverse experiences, we hope to develop students into competitive candidates for internal medicine residency and ultimately the next generation of pulmonary and critical care physicians. – 2 students maximum
Contact:
Chad Lampl, MD
513-558-0558
lamplck@ucmail.uc.edu
Annie Daniels
513-558-0478
olsiesam@ucmail.uc.edu
Contact:
Tammy Holm, MD
Email: holmty@ucmail.uc.edu
Admin Contact:
Nikki Norman
Email: normanno@ucmail.uc.edu
The enhanced educational experience in Women’s Health will provide medical students an opportunity to expand their knowledge in area Women's Health care. Opportunities for either longitudinal or multi-disciplinary clinical experiences will be available. Students will also participate in a summer research project (clinical or basic science) relating to Women’s Health. This will culminate in either a poster or podium presentation. Students will participate in additional educational and clinical experiences, including monthly department conferences on women’s health issues. On occasion, additional meetings will be held to reinforce learning objectives introduced in pre-clinical coursework. This educational track is ideal for students who are interested in careers in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine-Women’s Health, or OB/GYN. - Up to 6 students maximum
Information Sheet(PDF)
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Contact Us
Office of Curriculum Managementand Integration
Medical Sciences Building Room G453 - G456
231 Albert Sabin Way
PO Box 670520
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0520
Mail Location: 0520
Phone: 513-558-1795
Fax: 513-558-4949