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July 11, 2025 Issue

The WeeklyWire is an official communication tool of the Larner College of Medicine. Student feedback led to its development and continues to inform iterative improvements. All non-curriculum-related email communications are directed through The WeeklyWire to help support manageable email inboxes for our students; it's a one-stop-shop for all med school happenings outside of the classroom!

Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Medical Education with any questions.

WeeklyWire 07/11/2025

FOR ALL MEDICAL STUDENTS

Community Connections
  • The WeeklyWire: 
  • Shelf Resources: A reminder that the Dana Library has some e-book and print books that may be helpful for shelf exams, test-taking and developing clinical knowledge: The Subject Exam link has supplemental resources for each clinical rotation (e.g., Case Files series, Step-up series); the Step 2 Exam link has an e-book "Test-taking Strategies for the USMLE Step 2".  Do you want to learn more about strategically approaching NBME clinical knowledge questions? Take a look at the Unlocking Assessments NBME Video Series… 
  • Volunteer with Rally Cat's Cupboard: Sundays from 9AM-12PM. Rally Cat's Cupboard is a food pantry for UVM students and community. They need volunteers on Sundays to help transport food donated from Hannaford's to the Cupboard! To sign up to volunteer, please contact CJ Sands. Submitted by your Medical Student Council Chairs of Community Service.
  • Join the Larner COM Class of 2029 Facebook Group: We’re excited to invite you to the Larner College of Medicine Class of 2029 Facebook group. To ensure this group remains exclusive to accepted and current students, we appreciate your patience as join requests are reviewed.
  • Health Care Counselor: 7/6-7/11, South Hero, VT. Come be a part of a fantastic opportunity to help type 1 diabetics have a safe and fun summer! All Counselors are provided with on-camp housing and meals. We are seeking compassionate and dedicated Healthcare Counselors to join our team for our resident summer camp programs at Clara Barton Camp in North Oxford, MA, Camp Joslin in Charlton, MA, a traveling day camp, and Vermont Overnight Camp…
  • Optional External Surveys for Medical Students: Survey is currently open. Physician Infertility Awareness in Medical School Curriculum Survey. Dear Medical Students, We invite you to participate in a voluntary study assessing whether the current medical school curriculum includes discussions on physician infertility awareness or medical students’ fertility and family planning. If you are a current medical student at an LCME- or COCA-accredited MD or DO program in the United States, we would love to hear your experience surrounding this topic. Survey duration: about 2-3 minutes Survey closes at 11:59 pm on July 18, 2025 If you agree to participate in this study, please click the survey link. Your responses are anonymous and kept confidential. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach me. Thank you so much for your time and contribution! Best, Taylor Lan She/Her/Hers MD Class of 2026 Penn State College of Medicine. 
  • Monthly Student Education Committee (SEC) Meeting: 7/5, 5:30-7:30PM via zoom. The Student Education Committee (SEC) is comprised of students dedicated to and actively involved in the improvement of the medical school curriculum. Representatives from each class meet once a month with the Interim Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education, Dr. Christa Zehle, to discuss a variety of issues pertaining to the student experience within the Vermont Integrated Curriculum (VIC). The group’s responsibility is to act as a liaison with faculty to provide a unified student point of view, and to appropriately bring pertinent educational issues to the attention of faculty and course directors. SEC is charged with reviewing course evaluations written by students at the close of each Foundations course and presenting that data to the Foundations Committee, which oversees the pre-clinical portion of the curriculum.
  • The 212th Annual Meeting of the Vermont Medical Society and collaborative meetings with the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics - Vermont Chapter, and Vermont Psychiatric Association is taking place on Friday, November 7th and 8th at Topnotch Resort in Stowe, VT. You can visit the event page here to learn more. On Friday, November 7th, tentatively from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, there will be an opportunity for 5 medical students/residents to give an abstract or case presentation to the variety of attendees of the event (physicians from all specialties and geographic locations across Vermont). Please submit the information included in the abstract submission form here if you are interested in being considered to present your case OR share this opportunity widely! The abstract form due date is August 29, 2025. The time limit is 10 minutes, plus 2 minutes for questions, which is strictly enforced. This event is FREE for medical students and residents whether they choose to submit an abstract for consideration! Event registration will be coming soon. We hope you will join us and/or share this information widely with anyone you think might be interested in! 
Career Counseling Opportunities
Housing Opportunities
  • Apartment available for rent in Burlington: 164 Home Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401. 2 bedroom, 1 office, 1.5-bathroom, laundry in unit, 2 parking spaces included (one covered), shared back yard, less than 10-minute drive to the medical school and hospital. This is a great apartment in a perfect location in the South End of Burlington. Walking distance to Red Rocks Park and Oak Ledge Park. Also walking distance to the bike path as well as many breweries and restaurants on Pine Street. It is conveniently located across the street from a grocery store and TJ Maxx and Home Goods. I was a medical student and my husband, and I lived here for all my four years of medical school and absolutely loved the apartment and the location. It’s perfect for a couple or one tenant that wants to live alone and have plenty of space as there is one large bedroom and the second bedroom is quite a bit smaller, but perfect for a guest room or second office. It was great having the washer and dryer in the basement and there is plenty of storage. The back yard was amazing for med student get-togethers and cookouts. And we loved being able to walk down the street to so many fun breweries and to the waterfront at Oak Ledge park to watch the amazing sunsets over the lake. Also, the landlords are great and very respectful and responsive. I am now in residency, and we were very sad to leave this amazing place! This apartment is available to rent starting August 1st or earlier if needed. Rent is $2,100/month. Please reach out directly to the landlord via email to inquire about the apartment and set up a showing, ODchuckles@gmail.com. 
  • Modern End Unit with Dedicated Office: Now Available – 2BR + Office Apartment Ideal for Medical Professionals and Medical Students. Modern End Unit with Dedicated Office Suite A features a stylish, modern layout with a private office—perfect for studying or remote work. Large windows fill the space with natural light, and the private balcony adds a touch of serenity for plant lovers. This end unit includes heat, hot water, water, rubbish removal, lawn care, and snow removal. Additional conveniences include locked entry with a virtual doorman, off-street parking with garage access, and a private indoor storage unit. Unit is equipped with central air conditioning. For an in person tour please contact : Jill Diemer 802-9512457.
    • Walk to nearby shops, restaurants, and cafés
    • 1 mile to the Burlington Bike Path, with stunning Adirondack views along the way
    • Located just 2 miles from UVM and the UVM Medical Center. Enjoy a scenic bike commute by taking the wooded bike path, then follow Spear Street past the UVM farm and barn—you’ll arrive right on campus.
    • Quick access to downtown, I-89, the airport, and train station
    • One Burlington’s most convenient neighborhoods located on the Burlington/South Burlington city line. co2028 Students
Scholarship Opportunities
  • American Journal of Medical Quality: Deadline 9/15. The American Journal of Medical Quality (AJMQ) recognizes that opportunities to learn about the perspectives of professionals in training are limited. To address this, AJMQ launched a column dedicated to publishing student work on the topic of performance improvement. This year’s solicitation is now open. Articles accepted for the “Quality Training to Improve Performance” column will be published in issues of AJMQ in 2026. The column may be written by health students from any discipline (e.g., medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, allied health) and should highlight trainee-initiated improvement work and interprofessional collaborations. Both students and clinical trainees are eligible. The column must be no more than 750 words in length including references. Article submissions and any questions should be sent to Mary Reich Cooper, MD, JD.
  • 2025 AMA Research Challenge: Deadline 7/16, 2025 $10,000 grand prize at largest research event for medical students, residents, and IMGs! The American Medical Association is accepting abstracts for the 2025 AMA Research Challenge—the largest national, multi-specialty research event for medical students and residents—and the winner will receive a $10,000 grand prize! Submit an abstract to the AMA Research Challenge - the largest research event of its kind - for the opportunity to showcase your research, enhance your CV, and win a $10,000 grand prize presented by Laurel Road. Submission is free for AMA members. Learn more or submit an abstract at ama-assn.org/researchchallenge. Additional info and resources are available on the website. For details, contact Dr. Renee Stapleton.

co2029 Students - WELCOME TO THE WEEKLYWIRE! (and UVM Larner Med, of course) 

co2028 Students

  • LCOM Connect ("Big/Little") Program: 7/18/ 2025. LCOM Connect is a way to help incoming first-years find answers to questions, start school with a friend, and have someone on their team. Personal access links to the survey have been sent to your student email if you are interested in applying! For more info, contact LCOM Student Council.
  • Important Message from Dean Karen George: We hope you all have a great summer, recharging your batteries for the last 6 months of the Foundations curriculum. This is a quick reminder of the upcoming deadlines for campus change requests and site exemptions  for the clerkship year. These are due through OASIS by 9/1. If you are requesting either of these for medical or disability related needs, please note this information must be submitted with appropriate medical documentation to Student Accessibility Services by 08/01. As always, please reach out with any questions. We are looking forward to welcoming you back in August! And please note, we in OME are working through the summer; please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, or if we can be of any assistance.

co2027 Students

  • AHEC Community Engagement and Service: Rolling application. Longitudinal volunteer service opportunities with local community agencies. The broad goals of this AHEC Scholars activity are to support meaningful service to community agencies and to explore ways physicians can partner with others to address issues of availability, accessibility, and quality of health services in the community. As an AHEC Scholars eligible activity, students complete 40 training hours and at least 40 field/service hours. Course content includes exploration of Vermont systems and services related to promoting and maintaining health, and volunteer service activities that are directly or indirectly related to health and medicine. Through service, students will enhance partnerships with community agencies to further goals agreed upon by the community partner, AHEC, and the student volunteer. Larner medical students may participate in this AHEC Scholars pathway activity in their second, third or fourth year at LCOM. There is an application process, with a limited number of students selected based on the volunteer needs of the partnering community agencies, as well as program capacity and strength of the student application. Read the program overview and description of current community partnerships. Apply now. Contact Patti Smith Urie with questions about the AHEC Scholars program or this AHEC activity. If you would like to learn more, Patti can also connect you to the current fourth year Larner students who have helped to build this volunteer program.

co2026 Students

  • Medicine Residency Letters of Recommendation: July 18, 2025. All students interested in applying to Internal Medicine for residency (categorical only) and will need a Letter of Recommendation from the Department of Medicine/Chair, please contact Gina Sears Contois ,Inpatient Medicine & Acting Internship Coordinator.
  • AHEC Community Engagement and Service: Rolling application. Longitudinal volunteer service opportunities with local community agencies. The broad goals of AHEC Scholars activity are to support meaningful service to community agencies and to explore ways physicians can partner with others to address issues of availability, accessibility, and quality of health services in the community. As an AHEC Scholars eligible activity, students complete 40 training hours and at least 40 field/service hours. Course content includes exploration of Vermont systems and services related to promoting and maintaining health, and volunteer service activities that are directly or indirectly related to health and medicine. Through service, students will enhance partnerships with community agencies to further goals agreed upon by the community partner, AHEC, and the student volunteer. Larner medical students may participate in this AHEC Scholars pathway activity in their second, third or fourth year at LCOM. There is an application process, with a limited number of students selected based on the volunteer needs of the partnering community agencies, as well as program capacity and strength of the student application. Read the program overview and description of current community partnerships. Apply now. Contact Patti Smith Urie with questions about the AHEC Scholars program or this AHEC activity. If you would like to learn more, Patti can also connect you to the current fourth year Larner students who have helped to build this volunteer program.
  • ResidencyCAS Tokens: Important. If you are applying in Emergency Medicine or ObGyn this cycle, please email Emma.Faustner@med.uvm.edu to request a ResidencyCAS token.
  • The ERAS application registration is now open: You should have received a token this week. If you didn’t get the token (and it’s not in your inbox, please reach out to Emma Faustner. We encourage all students, regardless of your specialty’s application platform, to register in the MyERAS® system and begin working on your application.
    • AAMC and ERAS Application Resources: The transition to residency is a critical part of your journey to becoming a physician. To support you during this phase, the AAMC has developed several resources to help you prepare your MyERAS application:
    • Specialty Requirements: It’s important to review requirements that residency specialties have issued for the 2026 season as you are working on your application. These requirements are listed on the 2026 ERAS Participating Specialties and Programs webpage. We encourage you to refer to this page throughout the season as it will be updated as additional specialty requirements are received. To access residency specialty requirements: 
      • At the top of the page, locate the “Type” tab on the left-hand side.
      • Select “Residency” in the drop-down menu.
      • To the right, select “Specialties with Additional Information.”
      • A listing of all residency specialties that have provided new requirements will display directly on the page.
      • Note: A comprehensive list of all specialties (residency and fellowship) that have issued requirements is also available via the ERAS Specialty Information Report at the top of the page.
    • What you can do now in the MyERAS application:
      • Begin working on your MyERAS application.
      • Create a personal statement(s).
      • Send Letter Request Forms to the people who will write your Letters of Recommendation (LoRs).
      • Authorize the release of the COMLEX-USA and/or USMLE transcripts.
      • Manage documents.
      • Import ERAS resume information and LoRs from your most recently submitted application (for the previous seven ERAS seasons) under the History tab. Imported resume information may be edited.
      • Some documents are assigned to selected programs by default, and others require you to manually make assignments to programs. The Assignments Checklist within the MyERAS portal illustrates which documents are automatically assigned to programs and which require applicant assignation. 
    • ERAS Fee Assistance: Eligible students have already been notified via email about their discount, and no additional action is required. Eligibility is displayed on the MyERAS dashboard, and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.  
    • Upload your photo to ERAS, if you’d like a new photo you may have a portrait taken by the Creative Services team. Drop-in studio portrait sessions take place on Mondays from noon to 1pm, and Wednesdays from 3 – 4pm. You may also take your own photos with a smart phone if you choose – professional attire, with or without your white coat (military applicants may choose to wear their dress uniform), full face and shoulders, against a plain background. Photo specifications: JPG/JPEG or PNG file, max file size of 150KB, max dimensions 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches, max resolution 150 DPI. 
  • Donate Messages of Insight and Support for Step 1 Prep in this Donation Box. The USMLE Step 1 preparation journey can, at times, feel daunting and isolating. Words of wisdom and support from fellow peers who have prepared for Step 1 have the power to inspire, guide, and motivate fellow peers at every prep stage, and for generations of future classes. Feel free to offer as many anonymous submissions as you'd like.  Welcoming donations for USMLE Step 2 CK and NBME Shelf exams as well.
  • AHEC Community Engagement and Service: Rolling application. Longitudinal volunteer service opportunities with local community agencies. The broad goals of AHEC Scholars activity are to support meaningful service to community agencies and to explore ways physicians can partner with others to address issues of availability, accessibility, and quality of health services in the community. As an AHEC Scholars eligible activity, students complete 40 training hours and at least 40 field/service hours. Course content includes exploration of Vermont systems and services related to promoting and maintaining health, and volunteer service activities that are directly or indirectly related to health and medicine. Through service, students will enhance partnerships with community agencies to further goals agreed upon by the community partner, AHEC, and the student volunteer. Larner medical students may participate in this AHEC Scholars pathway activity in their second, third or fourth year at LCOM. There is an application process, with a limited number of students selected based on the volunteer needs of the partnering community agencies, as well as program capacity and strength of the student application. Read the program overview and description of current community partnerships. Apply now. Contact Patti Smith Urie with questions about the AHEC Scholars program or this AHEC activity. If you would like to learn more, Patti can also connect you to the current fourth year Larner students who have helped to build this volunteer program. 

 

Have a great weekend!

Karen George, MD, MPH (she/her)
Associate Dean for Students
Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science
Larner College of Medicine, Office of Medical Education
University of Vermont
Given Courtyard N-100
89 Beaumont Ave.
Burlington, VT 05405 
karen.george@med.uvm.edu

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Housing Opportunities

Graduate students are highly sought tenants in the Burlington area and property owners often advertise specifically to them with special rates (less than would be offered to undergraduate students). Don't hesitate to ask housing contacts if they would consider lowering the advertised rate to secure a graduate student; it never hurts to ask!

Explore housing opportunities & housing support resources via the UVM Off-campus Housing Site...

Burlington Off-campus Living Guide: Includes information to help off-campus students have successful experiences off campus. Check out the 6th edition of the UVM Off-Campus Student and Community Relations (OSCR) Off Campus Living Guide....

Landlord/Tenant and Housing Questions and Issues: Please contact OSCR (802-656-9405)

Lost & Found

Lost something? Email the Office of Medical Student Education (OMSE) a description of the item. OMSE and the Dana Medical Library recently joined the UVM campus-wide lost & found system and search not only the College of Medicine, but campus as a whole to see if it's been turned in. If it hasn't, the office can file a claim for the item should someone turn it in soon!

Found something? Please turn it into either the Office of Medical Student Education (Given Courtyard n100) or the Dana Medical Library (First floor of the Medical Education Center) and we will be sure to log it into the Campus-Wide Lost & Found Database.

Found items are kept up to 30 days, and then are donated to various local organizations depending on the item.