Distinctions

Texas A&M University College of Medicine Distinctions are educational paths that go above and beyond the MD curriculum to provide students an opportunity to explore individual interests and gain knowledge and skills in a specialized area related to medicine and being a physician.

Texas A&M University College of Medicine Distinctions are co-curricular, optional programs that run longitudinally across the four-year curriculum in the areas of:

Focused on reaching out to local communities and socioeconomic inequalities, students in the Community Service distinction bring their knowledge and focus it on increasing health care equity through community health awareness. Through outreach and locally focused projects across all four years of medical school, the Community Service distinction strives to connect our local community to understanding and being conscious of their wellness and to help students understand their significant impact in their community as future practitioners.

Based in health care environments, students in the Health Systems Science distinction obtain specialized knowledge about the systems and processes underlying health care. Because these are rapidly changing, students understand the basis for decision-making and policy. Throughout four years, lectures, electives, and reports are expected. By applying this knowledge, future practitioners can contribute effectively to guiding policy and advocate for patients and their care.

Character, values, and ethics are cornerstones for a practitioner. By focusing on humanistic and ethical pursuits threaded by medical theory and science, students in the Humanities in Medicine distinction develop a broadness in humanistic perspectives that translates to a well-rounded practitioner. Students create projects based on ethics and values that include report writing, peer-to-peer discussion groups, and electives during their studies. Students will gain distinction by their synthesis of ethics and morals in their medical education.

Students in the Leadership distinction focus on demonstrating their abilities to develop vision to bring out the potential and talent both in themselves and in others. Throughout four years, leadership competencies are gained through small-group discussions, research, analysis, writing, and presenting. Students will gain a distinction in having practice in leadership through unique learning opportunities and situations.

Medical education is the foundation for producing practitioners that can make accurate diagnoses. Students in the Medical Education Teaching and Scholarship distinction are passionate about teaching and the evidence-based science behind it. Some may become educators that inspire. Curriculum content creation and review, peer advising, educational research and analysis, and journal writing are expected throughout their four years of study. Students will separate themselves as educators and can give expertise on how to effectively instruct.

Military medicine practice aims to provide the highest quality of health care for its service members, veterans, and their families. Students in the Military Medicine distinction focus on creating population-based projects that range from battlefield medicine to community-based events that provide accessible care to service members, their families, and veterans throughout their four years of study. Students also work with active and reserve military personnel to coordinate and participate in events and activities locally, nationally, and abroad. Students are distinct, as they develop professional competencies through their awareness of the health needs and challenges facing military and military-related populations.

Physician scientists make discoveries that impact the medical community. Students in the Research distinction have mentorship in creating and carrying out scientific research. Students are expected to have 800 hours of dedicated research time that includes authorship during their four years. By using evidence-based literature, writing proposals, performing experiments, and then attending conferences, students have analytical competencies. Students gain distinction through their opportunities to be scientists, learn the process of science through mentorship, and become members of interdisciplinary scientific communities.

By bringing health care to rural communities that struggle with providing residents with medical care and have lower life expectancies than urban areas, the Rural Medicine distinction offers students experience and awareness of the shortages affecting specific populations. Students have opportunities to make an impact and gain meaning in their practice. Students take electives, communicate about their experiences, and may be able to provide patient care. Students gain distinction by their extended service in outreach to rural communities and can provide needed health care to increase longevity.

Upon completion of a Texas A&M University College of Medicine Distinction, students will be awarded the distinction medallion and certificate at the hooding ceremony and wear the distinction medallion at graduation.

For further information, please visit our Distinctions SharePoint site. A TAMU ID and Password are required for access.