Student Government Roles and Members

Student governance of the MD/PhD programs is determined by a student constitution that has been approved by the Executive Committee. The MD/PhD students play a very active role in management of the program structure, mainly in admissions and programming of events. Each chair position is elected yearly by and from the student body and is expected to support the MD/PhD program in providing quality educational experience.

Admissions officers

The admissions officers organize the campus tours and admissions dinners for the applicants interviewing during fall and summer. The officers coordinate contact between accepted applicants and current students with similar interests and backgrounds. Finally, they help organize the second look weekend events in April.

Treasurer

The treasurer establishes the yearly budget from both the MD/PhD program funds and from BU Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS). They keep track of the group’s spending and financial status throughout the year, and maintain contact with GMS for spending and reimbursements.

Programming Chairs

The Programming Chairs organize the monthly MD/PhD events throughout the year, including the Grand Rounds and the Career Development Events. They manage the invitation and scheduling of these events designed to help current students learn about the MD/PhD career path and the steps to take at their respective stages of the graduate education. They also coordinate with the Student GMS to ensure MD/PhD student body voice is heard in the broader medical campus.

Alumni Affairs Chair

The Alumni Affairs Chair organize events to facilitate alumni-student networking and mentoring opportunities. They brainstorm new ways to engage with alumni, while helping to write and organize alumni newsletters provide news of recent events for the community.

Communications Chair

The Communications Chair coordinate with other chairs in communicating with MD/PhD student body and the broader public. They maintain the website with new postings, including student publications, awards, and accomplishments. They maintain directory of current students and event calendars to ensure students are informed of program organized events. They also manage the student-run BU MD/PhD Twitter account to share new happenings in the community. Finally they attend the monthly PhD Steering Committee Meetings, providing regular reports regarding the status of the MD/PhD program at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine.

Student Relations Chair

The Student Relations Chairs organize peer-mentorship programs, maintain database of lab affiliations of current students, checks in with first and second year students about their rotations, and plan post-retreat social events. Overall they make sure social events happen smoothly to create a sense of community for the MD/PhD program.