Chobanian & Avedisian SOM/Kaiser Permanente Collaborations
About the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine/Kaiser Permanente Collaboration
Kaiser Permanente Regional Campus (Silicon Valley)
In 2015, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine established a regional campus in California for third-year medical students at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center San Jose and Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Santa Clara. Spearheaded by Anna Hohler, MD, founding director of the Kaiser regional campus and former Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, the program was created to offer third year students an opportunity to practice in an integrated health care system with a strong reputation for excellence in patient care.
In addition to an excellent clinical experience, the Kaiser Campus Third Year Curriculum Program provides students with unique opportunities related to healthcare technology, preventive medicine, and a progressive healthcare delivery model. Students have the opportunity to develop electronic health system mastery, participate in quality improvement training programs, and develop their own quality improvement projects. The partnership with Kaiser enhances Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine’s mission of social justice and service, and continues its tradition of commitment to under-served patient populations.
Kaiser has revolutionized healthcare and healthcare technology, resulting in more immediate and responsive patient care. A leader in patient safety and quality improvement, the Kaiser system has been the model for the future of medicine. Their focus on preventive care and an outpatient centered care model results in reductions in hospital admissions and testing.
“We are delighted to be able to offer our students the opportunity to work in an innovative and evidenced-based system that is committed to high-value, high-quality medical care,” said Karen Antman, MD, Chobanian & Avedisian SOM dean and provost of the BU Medical Campus.
The third year clinical rotations take place at two Kaiser Permanente Hospitals. At the San Jose site, students rotate in family medicine, OB/GYN, internal medicine, psychiatry and neurology. At the Kaiser hospital in Santa Clara, students complete rotations in pediatrics, surgery, radiology and psychiatry.
Despite the distance from the main BUMC South End campus, students are well integrated into the BU system. They receive uniform didactic instruction along with their Boston-based colleagues. Students are also be able to participate in live small group discussions and case vignettes via Skype. Didactic lectures are recorded, and additional sessions are available for review when the students are studying for exams to further enhance their clerkship experience. Assistant Dean Paige Curran in the Student Affairs Office manages issues related to student mental and physical health, academic support, and career development. She continues to monitor the students through online communication and quarterly visits to California.
Other Kaiser Opportunities
In addition to the regional campus experience for third year students, the school also works with Kaiser to offer additional opportunities for students in the summer after first and second year, fourth year electives, programs on culturally sensitive care, and residency collaborations.