Human Biology and Disease

The block-based curriculum for years one and two has been designed to increase integration of normal human biology with disease processes and clinical skills from the first week of medical school onward. Basic science is taught in the context of its application with planned reiteration. Instruction is coordinated throughout sequentially-taught blocks.

Characteristics of Human Biology and Disease

• Instruction is driven by cases explored via problem-based learning, laboratories, conferences, clinical skills workshops, and independent study accompanied by approximately 10 hours of lecture a week.
• Contact time is limited to 24 hours a week to allow time for independent study and electives.
• All but one of the thematic blocks is taught in two "passes". There is planned redundancy as well as progressive depth and expectations of competency. Most blocks are 9 weeks in length.
• Curricular Threads are woven into the fabric of each block, and include 
  
  • Anatomy, Histopathology and Embryology (Chair: Elena Stark, MD, PhD, Pathology | Coordinator: Hilary Koenig)
  • Biochemistry (Chair: Esteban Dell'Angelica, PhD, Human Genetics | Coordinator: Monika Fragoso)
  • Clinical Reasoning (Chair: David Schriger, MD, Medicine/Emergency Medicine | Coordinator: Monika Fragoso)
  • Doctoring
  • • Year 1 (Chair: Rachel Brook, MD, Medicine | Associate Chair: Grace Deukmedjian, MD, Medicine | Coordinator: Monika Fragoso)
    • Year 2 (Chair: Arthur Gomez, MD, Medicine | Coordinator: Phillip Moon)
  • Clinical Skills
    • Year 1 Co-Chairs: Magdalena Ptaszny, MD, Medicine | Tyler Larsen, MD , Medicine | Michael Lazarus, MD, Medicine| Coordinator: Michelle Huang)
    • Year 2 (Chair: Robert Oye, MD, Medicine  | Coordinator: Franklin De Paz & David Williams)
  • Genetics and Genomics (Chair: Sulagna Saitta, MD, Pediatrics | Coordinator: Monika Fragoso)
  • Ophthalmology
    • (Chair: Gary Holland, MD, Medicine | Coordinator: Monika Fragoso)
  • Pharmacology (Chair: William Melega, PhD, Molecular & Medical Pharmacology | Coordinator: Monika Fragoso)
  • Preceptorship
    • Year 2 (Chair: Robert Oye, MD, Medicine | Coordinator: Ashley Wade)
• Special issues are addressed across the curriculum in all four years
  • Cancer prevention and survivorship
  • Complementary and alternative medicine
  • Cultural components of health and disease
  • Gender-specific health
  • Geriatrics
  • Nutrition
  • Professionalism
• Progress through this curriculum is evaluated with computer based exams and clinical performance exams at the end of each block. Weekly self-assessment quizzes during each block allow students to track their understanding and adjust study practices or emphasis as indicated.

Year 1 Courses

Block 1: HB&D 401 Foundations of Medicine I (9 Weeks)

Pathologic processes, genetics, molecular and cellular biology, basic immunology, and critical appraisal.

Chairs:
Chandra Smart, MD, Pathology 
Bernard Ribalet, PhD, Physiology

Coordinator:
Hilary Koenig

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Block 2: Cardiovascular, Renal, and Respiratory Medicine I (10 weeks)

Anatomy, histopathology, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, imaging, and selected pathophysiologic mechanisms plus clinical assessment of these systems.

Chairs:
Christopher Cooper, MD, Medicine/Pulmonology 
Holly Middlekauff, MD, Medicine/Cardiology

Coordinator:
Michelle Huang

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Block 3: Gastrointestinal, Endocrine, and Reproductive Medicine I (9 weeks)

Anatomy, histopathology, biochemistry, nutrition, genetics, and selected pathophysiologic mechanisms, coupled with clinical assessment of these systems.

Chairs: 
Rashmi Mullur, MD, VAGLAHS Endocrinology
Esteban Dell'Angelica, PhD, Human Genetics

Coordinator:
Ashley Wade

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Block 4: Musculoskeletal Medicine (6 weeks)

Anatomy, imaging, histopathology, pathophysiology and pharmacology related to this system with a focus on rheumatology and physical medicine.

Chairs:
Quynh Pham, MD, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Madhuri Wadehra, PhD, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Coordinator:
Hilary Koenig

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Block 5: Medical Neurosciences I (6 weeks)

Neuroanatomy, histopathology, neurobiology, neurology, imaging, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical assessment of the neurological systems

Chairs:
Carolyn Houser, PhD, Neurobiology 
Chris DeGiorgio, MD, Neurology

Coordinator:
Michelle Huang

 

Year 2 Courses

Block 6: Foundations of Medicine II (9 weeks)

Basic pharmacology; microbes, host defense and immunity; immune disorders; clinical trials & epidemiology; infectious diseases, including classification of pathogens & therapeutics; cancer, including classification, causes & therapeutics of other blood disorders.

Chairs: 
Omai Garner, PhD, Pathology  

Tara Vijayan, MD, Medicine/Infectious Diseases

Coordinator:
David Williams

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Block 7: Medical Neurosciences II (6 weeks)

Neuroanatomy, neurobiology, psychopathology, neurology, and psycho pharmacology.

Chairs:
Isaac Yang, MD, Neurosurgery 
Misty C. Richards, MD, Psychiatry

Coordinator:
Phillip Moon

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Block 8: Gastrointestinal, Endocrine, & Reproductive Medicine II (8 weeks)

Endocrinology; reproductive health & disease; breast; GI diseases; gender-specific diseases; skin diseases; common infectious diseases; therapeutics; and prevention, including nutrition.

Chairs:
Jane Weinreb, MD, Medicine/Endocrinology 
Catia Sternini, MD, Medicine/ Digestive Disease/ Gastroenterology

Coordinator:
David Williams

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Block 9: Cardiovascular, Renal & Respiratory Medicine II (8 weeks)

Pathology & pathophysiology of these systems; including hypertension, developmental disorders; therapeutics - pharmaceuticals and other treatments; clinical trials & epidemiology; prevention; common infectious agents.

Chairs:
Jason Napolitano, MD, Medicine/General Internal Medicine 
Michael Sopher, MD, Anesthesiology

Coordinator:
Phillip Moon