This section describes electives that are offered to first and second year students through the Dean’s Office. These are in addition to the required clinical selectives of the Clinical Practice I course. Students may also choose to participate in the following clinical electives:

Metropolitan Alumni Clinical Elective

A major objective of this elective is to help first and second year medical students get a better understanding of a particular specialty by spending an afternoon in a clinical setting with a P&S alumnus. The list includes physicians in 29 different specialties ranging from Anesthesiology to Vascular Surgery.

The Role of the Unsung Hero

Objective: To observe an anesthesiologist at work in the O.R. and in patient care.
One student every Saturday and Sunday morning will come in at 7 A.M. and report to the attending on call that day. He/she will have the opportunity to follow that attending, observe surgery from the anesthesiologist’s point of view and interact with residents and patients.

Introduction to Basic Surgical Skills

Objective: To introduce first year students to the basic tools and techniques of surgery.
Two hour small group mid-winter sessions with instruction on suturing, tying knots, and stapling wounds.  E-mail Doris Leddy at DL642@columbia.edu

Introduction to Laparoscopic Surgery and Endoscopy

Objective: To introduce second year students to the "surgical learning lab" using simulation equipment.
Two hour small group late-winter sessions with the opportunity to gain familiarity with the use of virtual instruments, real instruments, and simulated patients.   E-mail Doris Leddy at DL642@columbia.edu