Office of Student Affairs
Our office coordinates services to ensure medical students are able to successfully navigate the medical curriculum while maintaining balance in their personal and professional lives.
We provide students with guidance regarding the following services available at VCU:
Student Affairs services
The VCU School of Medicine Student Affairs office also oversees the following services provided to students:
A four year longitudinal career advising program has been developed to assist students in determining their professional identity within medicine and assuring they successfully match into a residency program in their specialty of choice. The longitudinal career advising program at VCU School of Medicine includes the following components:
M1 Year
Myers Briggs session during M1 Orientation - students learn more about their personality preferences related to their work in teams, learning styles, and specialty preference
Summer Planning session held in the fall that covers a basic overview of the residency match process including relative competitiveness of specialties within medicine, how to plan for the summer break including research and clinical shadowing opportunities
Student Affairs Website updated with research and clinical programs for students to consider for their summer break
Project H.E.A.R.T. (Healing with Empathy, Acceptance, Respect and Integrity) is the longitudinal advising program where students are divided into small groups that meet with a faculty member every few weeks during the first three years of medical school; several sessions are dedicated for students to complete self-assessment exercises on the AAMC Careers in Medicine website investigating their values, interests, and skills that may affect specialty decisions within medicine
M2 Year
Careers in Medicine Day:
- CV and Personal Statement workshops; students must turn in a CV for critique by a faculty member
- Residency Match Algorithm session that provides students with a detailed look at the algorithm used by the National Resident Match Program (NRMP) to place applicants into residency programs
- Financial Implications of Specialty Choices session where students investigate financial decisions that should be considered regarding loan repayment, specialty choices
- Residency Program Director Panel discussion where students are informed of the factors program directors are looking when choosing successful applicants to their specialty
M3 Year
Specialty Decision session held during M3 Orientation focused on making specialty decisions using the Five Thinking Hats Model of making decisions
M4 Planning session held during the late fall providing students with detailed information about planning the M4 year, applying for away rotations, meeting with career specific advisors
Career Specific Advisors are assigned to students based on their specialty preferences to provide focused information on planning M4 year and applying to residency programs
M4 Year
ERAS/ NRMP Workshop where students meet in small groups to discuss completing the ERAS application including a review of writing an effective personal statement as well as the residency application timeline
Residency Interview session focused on planning interview schedules and tips for successfully interviewing at residency programs
Personal Statement reviews are performed by faculty members within the Office of Student Affairs
Mock interviews are offered to all students so they can practice and refine interview skills
Match Updates include a series of periodic emails sent to students with tips and reminders of upcoming deadlines to ensure applicants are on track for a successful match
Match Surveys are sent to students every 2-3 weeks during the residency match season to determine how many interview offers they are receiving to better identify students at risk for going unmatched; targeted information is provided to at-risk applicants to help them determine a strategy to successfully match into a residency program
Rank List Support is provided using open office hours to meet with students to discuss the creation of their rank lists
SOAP Support includes focused advising of students who are unmatched to guide them through the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program where unmatched students are placed into unfilled residency programs
The School of Medicine (SOM) Financial Aid Office provides financial aid counseling to students who are enrolled in Medical Doctor degree and various Ph.D. and Master's Programs including the Premedical Health Sciences Certificate Program (CERT).
Visit the Office of Financial Aid webpage for more information.
VCU medical student and alumni transcripts are maintained by the School of Medicine Registrar's Office.
Student Transcripts
Student transcripts are free.
Unofficial Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts are available from the Registrar's Office of the School of Medicine located in the MMEC (McGlothlin Medical Education Center), Room 4-225 and on the Web via Student Records System.
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts can now be requested and purchased online via our web app. You may also request and purchase transcripts through the School of Medicine Registrar's Office, located in MMEC room 4-225, or via mail by completing a Transcript Request Form and mailing it along with your payment to the address below:
Registrar, School of Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University
McGlothlin Medical Education Center (MMEC),
1201 E Marshall St., 4th Floor
Box 980565
Richmond, VA 23298-0565
Phone: 804-828-9791
Fax: 804-828-5115
Email: Heather.Davison@vcuhealth.org
Alumni Transcripts
$5.00 per official or unofficial transcript
Official and unofficial transcripts can now be requested and purchased online via our web app! You may also request and purchase transcripts by filling out and submitting a Transcript Request Form by mailing the form along with a check made payable to VCU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE to the above address.
VCU School of Medicine requires the signature of the student or alumnus requesting his/her transcript.
MD Education Verification Only
The School of Medicine Registrar can verify Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degrees only. You may email your request to Carol.Kennon@vcuhealth.org along with attachments. For all other requests, please contact Records and Registration (804) 828-1349.
The Office of Student Affairs provides oversight to more than 50 medical student organizations, from the Women in Medicine Student Organization to the Cardiology Interest Group to everything in between.
Register a Student Organization
All student organizations must register with the Office of Student Affairs. This not only recognizes that the organization has agreed to abide by the VCU School of Medicine’s guidelines, but also makes the organization eligible to apply for funding through the Medical Student Government.
View the list of Student Organizations webpage here.
View this document for more information: 2019SummerResearchOpportunities
View this document for more information: Summer Research 2018
Careers in Medicine
Careers in Medicine at VCU: Find your fit!
According to surveys of VCU M4 students, approximately 65 percent of our students change their minds during medical school about the medical specialty they want to pursue.
The Careers in Medicine@VCU (CiM@VCU) program is a four-year integrated curriculum designed to support the life of a medical student, selecting their paths in medicine, and helping students develop career planning skills to assist in residency and beyond. The goal is in four years to help students find their fit with the specialty that best suits them!
M1 Courses and Programs
- M1 Orientation: MBTI Workshop
- Project Heart 1: Class Hippocratic Oath/Qualities of a Good Physician
- Project Heart 2: MBTI and Careers
- Project Heart 3: Anatomy Reflection
- Project Heart 4: Match 101 – Overview of Match & Summer Experience Workshop
- Project Heart Fall Semester Social
- Project Heart 5: New Year’s Resolutions
- Project Heart 6 and 7: Career Self-Assessment Activities
- Alumni Career Fair
- Project Heart 8: Reflections on M1
- Final Social Event
M2 Courses and Programs
- Project Heart 1: Catching up
- Debriefing of Summer Experiences/Resilience
- CiM: Match 102 – Overview of the Match
- Project Heart 2: Debrief Match 102 Session
- CiM: Residency Director Panel
- Project Heart 3: Ideals of Personal and Professional Lives
- Project Heart 4: Physician Identity
- CiM: Personal Statement and CV Writing Workshops
- CiM: Financial Considerations of Career Decisions
- Project Heart Fall Semester Social
- Project Heart 5: Physician Impairment
- CiM: Shadowing
- Project Heart 6: Mistreatment
- Alumni Career Fair
- Project Heart 7: Looking Ahead – M3/M4 Panel
- CiM Elective course
- Project Heart 8: Reflections on Hippocratic Oath from M1 and Debriefing of Shadowing Experience
- Final Social Event
M3 Courses and Programs
- Making Effective Career Decisions Workshop
- Workshop Week: Match 103 and Employment Interviewing Workshops
- Workshop Week: Lunchtime Sessions with Residency Directors
- Individual Career Advising Sessions
- Alumni Career Fair
M4 Courses and Programs
- Individual Career Advising Sessions continue
- Personal Statement Reviews
- Practice Interviews
- M4 Blog on Interview on the Match
- ROL Walk-in Sessions
- Match Day/Scramble
- Capstone Pilot Course
- Debriefing on The Match
Project H.E.A.R.T.
VCU School of Medicine developed Project H.E.A.R.T. (Healing with Empathy, Acceptance, Respect and inTegrity) to foster humanistic and compassionate patient care and to provide mentorship for professional development of medical students. Students are divided into groups of eight mentored by a volunteer faculty member. The groups meet at regular intervals during the first three years of medical school. The goal is to maintain humanistic qualities as a developing physician. Please visit Project H.E.A.R.T for more information.
Careers in Medicine (CiM) Program
- M2 CiM Courses
The CiM course in which all second-year students participate, covers The Match process, qualities that Residency Program Directors look for in their residents, financial considerations and writing effective CVs and Personal Statements. The end product is writing and submitting a CV for which faculty review and give constructive feedback.
Students may continue their personal career development with a six-session spring elective that explores various career topics in a more in-depth way.
- Career Development Workshops
Selected topics are offered during M1, M3 and M4 to address specific needs of medical student career development. The goal is assist students with self-assessment, exploring options and making and implementing effective career decisions. Current workshops include the MBTI, Effective Decision-Making and Match 101/Summer Experience.
Also, in a new two-part program to develop Residency Interviewing skills, a faculty member from the University Career Center presents the nuts and bolts of employment interviewing. Then students are offered hands-on practice through face-to-face interviews or by recording an on-line interview using InterviewStream.
- Individual Career Advising
During M1 and M2, Project HEART mentors serve as students’ advisors. During M3, the students are assigned a specialty advisor for the M4 year, who assists them with planning their M4 schedule and assessing their career interests, along with their perceived strengths and weaknesses in the residency application.
All students, and especially rising M4s, are invited to discuss their career plans and applications for The Match with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. He discusses qualifications and competitiveness for the various residency programs students are considering.
- Curriculum Vita and Personal Statement Review
Student Affairs staff are always available to review students’ CV’s and personal statements at any point during their time in the School of Medicine. Students may submit their materials via email to Janet Mundie or Dr. Chris Woleben.
- Career Fairs and Residency Information Sessions
During Workshop Week, rising M4s are invited to attend specialty information sessions with residency program directors. The Alumni Career Fair, sponsored jointly with the VCU SOM Development Office, provides students the opportunity to talk with alumni and residency program directors to gain insight about specialties and practice options.
Office Address
Office of Student Affairs
VCU School of Medicine
Physical Address: McGlothlin Medical Education Center (MMEC), 1201 E Marshall St., 4th Floor
Mailing Address: Box 980565
Richmond, VA 23298-0565
Phone: 804-828-9791
Fax: 804-828-5115
Faculty and Staff Contacts
Christopher Woleben, M.D.Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Phone: 804-828-9791
E-mail: christopher.woleben@vcuhealth.org
Project Heart
Healing with Empathy, Acceptance, Respect and Integrity
You will find a little extra support during your four years in medical school, thanks to a unique VCU School of Medicine initiative called Project HEART - a reminder to heal with empathy, acceptance, respect and integrity.
As an incoming medical student, Project HEART will assign you to groups that meet at least eight times during your first year, and then throughout the rest of your medical school career—all under the mentorship of faculty or staff members who provide guidance, assistance and support.
The individuals and offices listed below will provide assistance while you are in school. Please feel free to contact them as needed.
Dr. Susan DiGiovanni: Interim Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education and Student Affairs - general and academic counseling/advising, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 827-1743
Office: MMEC 4-220
E-mail: susan.digiovanni@vcuhealth.org
Dr. Chris Woleben: Associate Dean of Student Affairs - general and academic counseling/advising, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 828-4009
Office: MMEC 4-218
E-mail: christopher.woleben@vcuhealth.org
Dr. Diane Biskobing: Assistant Dean for Medical Education - general and academic counseling/advising for M1 and M2 students, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 827-8436
Office: MMEC 4-222
E-mail: diane.biskobing@vcuhealth.org
Dr. Michael S. Ryan: Assistant Dean for Clinical Medical Education - general and academic counseling/advising for M3 students, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 828-4589
Office: MMEC 4-216
E-mail: michael.ryan1@vcuhealth.org
Lelia Brinegar, EdD: Assistant Dean for Curriculum - general and academic counseling/advising, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 828-9790
Office: MMEC 4-227
E-mail: lelia.brinegar@vcuhealth.org
Pemra E. Cetin, M.B.A: Assistant Dean of Student Affairs - Director of Financial Aid, general and academic counseling/advising, referral for any student services
Phone: (804) 828-5271
Office: MMEC 4-307
E-mail: pemra.cetin@vcuhealth.org
Amy Miller, M.S., CRC, CRP: Executive Director of the Division for Academic Success for Students at VCU Medical Center - individualized counseling for academic problems, determination of disabilities and accommodations
Phone: (804) 828-6087
Office: VMI Building, Room 202
E-mail: ammiller4@vcu.edu
Web: www.das.vcu.edu
Deborah Roberts, M.Ed: Assistant Director of the Division for Academic Success for Students at VCU Medical Center - individualized counseling for academic problems, determination of disabilities and accommodations
Phone: (804) 828-2929
Office: VMI Building, Room 202
E-mail: dlroberts@vcu.edu
Web: www.das.vcu.edu
Heather Davison: Student Services Specialist - oversight of all student organizations, completion of the Medical Student Performance Evaluation, coordinates the matching of medical students with residency programs
Phone: (804) 828-9791
Office: MMEC 4-221
E-mail: heather.davison@vcuhealth.org
Nancy Jackson: Program Support Technician - oversight of the electives program for the School of MedicinePhone: (804) 828-9784
Office: MMEC 4-217
E-mail: nancy.jackson@vcuhealth.org
Marlene Tweedy: Registrar for the School of Medicine, notary public for medical students - maintains the permanent record of grades, the go-between for the School of Medicine and the USMLE (licensing organization)
Phone: (804) 828-9793
Office: MMEC 4-221
E-mail: marlene.tweedy@vcuhealth.org
Confidential Aid to Students: A student-selected and operated organization created to provide support for fellow classmates in need
Kristina Fernandez; e-mail: fernandezkm@vcu.edu
Adrienne Uphoff; e-mail: uphoffae@vcu.edu
Ameya Chumble; e-mail: chumbleaa@vcu.edu
Niki Irgens-Moller; e-mail: irgensmollern@vcu.edu
Oksana Chernushevich; e-mail: chernushevoi@vcu.edu
Radhika Patel; e-mail: patelrc@vcu.edu
Financial Aid: Counseling about debt management in medical school and assistance with educational loans and scholarships
Phone: (804) 828-5271
Office: MMEC 4-307
Web: Financial Aid
University Counseling Services: Professional counseling and consultation for students to explore personal concerns and to obtain help in making changes in their lives
Phone: (804) 828-3964
Office: Grant House, Basement
Web: VCU University Counseling Services
University Student Health Services: Primary care services, blood and body fluid evaluations and preventive health care
Phone: (804) 828-9220
Office: VMI Building, Room 305
Web: VCU University Student Health Services
Wellness Resource Center: Education on alcohol and drugs, quitting smoking, nutrition, stress management and sexual health, as well as confidential services for students who experience sexual assault or relationship violence
Phone: (804) 828-9355
Office: 815 S. Cathedral Place
Web: VCU University Student Health Services
Registrar's Office
VCU medical student and alumni transcripts are maintained by the School of Medicine Registrar's Office.
M.D. Degrees Only
The School of Medicine Registrar's Office provides transcripts for M.D. Degrees Only.
All other transcript requests including Nursing, Education, etc., must contact VCU Records and Registration at 804-828-1349.
Student Transcripts
Student transcripts are free.
Unofficial Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts are available from the Registrar's Office of the School of Medicine located in the MMEC (McGlothlin Medical Education Center), Room 4-225 and on the Web via Student Records System.
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts can now be requested and purchased online via our web app. You may also request and purchase transcripts through the School of Medicine Registrar's Office, located in MMEC room 4-225, or via mail by completing a Transcript Request Form and mailing it along with your payment to the address below:
Registrar, School of Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University
McGlothlin Medical Education Center (MMEC),
1201 E Marshall St., 4th Floor
Box 980565
Richmond, VA 23298-0565
Phone: 804-828-9791 or 804-828-0998
Fax: 804-828-5115
Email: Heather.Davison@vcuhealth.org
Alumni Transcripts
$5.00 per official or unofficial transcript
Official and unofficial transcripts can now be requested and purchased online via our web app! You may also request and purchase transcripts by filling out and submitting a Transcript Request Form by mailing the form along with a check made payable to VCU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE to the above address.
VCU School of Medicine requires the signature of the student or alumnus requesting his/her transcript.
MD Education Verification Only
The School of Medicine Registrar can verify Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degrees only. You may email your request to Audrey.Manley@vcuhealth.org along with attachments. For all other requests, please contact Records and Registration (804) 828-1349.
Residency Match
Information regarding residency match
Click the panels below to view residency match information.
- ERAS was developed by the Association of American Medical College and started in 1995.
- The service provides a means of transmitting residency applications, letters of recommendation, the Medical Student Performance Evaluation, transcripts, pictures and other supporting credentials from applicants and medical schools to residency program directors using the Internet.
- ERAS is made up of three components:
- The applicant web site, MyERAS
- The Dean’s Office Workstation (DWS)
- The Program Director’s Workstation (PDWS)
- Using a current Web browser, applicants complete an application, select programs and create and assign supporting documents using a secure site. They then submit these files to ERAS for processing.
- Student Affairs staff use the DWS to scan and upload the applicants’ transcripts and Medical Student Performance Evaluation.
- All letters of recommendation will be uploaded using the ERAS Letter of Recommendation Portal (LoRP) by your LOR authors or designee.
- Residency programs use the PDWS to connect to the ERAS to download applications and to review them using criteria they establish.
- Most PGY 1 specialties, including the Army and Navy, will use ERAS to receive their application. The only exception is the Early Match Program of Ophthalmology. Information on this program can be obtained from the www.sfmatch.org Web site. The Ophthalmology program along with Urology (www.auanet.org) also have their own matching process. All other programs go through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
- There are a few programs within each specialty that do not use ERAS. These programs, in most cases, will accept the ERAS application, but everything has to be mailed. This can be coordinated through the Student Affairs office.
- A final list of participating programs will be posted on the Web site in late June at services.aamc.org/eras/erasstats/par/index.cfm in the Applicant Support section. Applicants should contact programs directly to confirm their participation.
If you wish to go back through the Match using ERAS, please contact Heather Davison at Heather.Davison@vcuhealth.org so that you can receive an ERAS token.
There is a fee that can be paid either by check or by credit card. https://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/medecom/Home.aspx
The Match and preparing for residency application can be a very stressful process. It is helpful for you to be as knowledgeable as possible. The Office of Student Affairs has prepared a booklet Taking Flight which provides details about the different matching programs, how to write a C.V. and personal statement and a lot of detailed information about interviewing. Plus, the staff of the Office of Student Affairs is more than willing to help in any manner possible.
2018 Residency Match
- Match List Class of 2018
- Photo Gallery
2017 Residency Match
- Match List Class of 2017
- Photo Gallery
2016 Residency Match
- Match results - Class of 2016
- Photo Gallery
2015 Residency Match
- Match Results - Class of 2015
- Photo Gallery
2014 Residency Match
- Match results - Class of 2014
- Photo Gallery
2013 Residency Match
- Match results – Class of 2013
- Photo gallery
2012 Residency Match
- Match results – Class of 2012
- Photo gallery
2011 Residency Match
- Match results – Class of 2011
- Photo gallery
2010 Residency Match
- Match results – Class of 2010
- Photo gallery
2009 Residency Match
- Match results—Class of 2009
- Photo gallery
School of Medicine Match Day is the annual day when medical school seniors learn where they will go for residency training in their chosen specialties.
Learn more about Match Day 2018.
View the Match Archive panel above for additional match statistics.
University Services
VCU University Services provides students with counseling support in the following areas:
Division for Academic Success
Individualized counseling for academic problems, determination of disabilities and accommodations.
Amy Miller, Executive Director
Email: ammiller4@vcu.edu
Phone: 804-828-6087
Deborah Roberts, Assistant Director
Email: dlroberts@vcu.edu
Phone: 804-827-2929
Division for Academic Success Website: http://www.das.vcu.edu/
Personal Counseling and Health Care
Students seeking personal counseling or information about health care may contact the following university resources:
Office Address
VCU School of Medicine Student Affairs office address information
Office Address:
Office of Student Affairs
VCU School of Medicine
Physical Address: McGlothlin Medical Education Center (MMEC), 1201 E Marshall St., 4th Floor
Mailing Address: Box 980565
Richmond, VA 23298-0565
Phone: 804-828-9791
Fax: 804-828-5115
Contact Us
Office of Student Affairs faculty and staff contacts
Nicole M. Deiorio, M.D.
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Nicole M. Deiorio, M.D.
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Office of Student Affairs
Phone: 804-828-9201
Fax: 804-828-5115
Email: nicole.deiorio@vcuhealth.org
Christopher Woleben, M.D.
Sr. Assoc. Dean for Medical Education & S.A.
Christopher Woleben, M.D.
Sr. Assoc. Dean for Medical Education & S.A.
Office of Student Affairs
Phone: 804-828-9791
Fax: 804-828-5115
Pemra E. Cetin, M.B.A.
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Pemra E. Cetin, M.B.A.
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Office of Student Affairs
Phone: 804-828-4006
Fax: 804-827-5555
Email: pemra.cetin@vcuhealth.org
Paula H. Rafferty
Senior Counselor for Office of Financial Aid
Paula H. Rafferty
Senior Counselor for Office of Financial Aid
Office of Student Affairs
Phone: 804-828-4006
Fax: 804-827-5555
Email: paula.rafferty@vcuhealth.org
Heather Davison, M.T.
Registrar
Heather Davison, M.T.
Registrar
Office of Student Affairs
Phone: 804-828-9791
Fax: 804-828-5115
Audrey Manley
Registrar Coordinator
Audrey Manley
Registrar Coordinator
Office of Student Affairs
Phone: 804-828-0998
Fax: 804-828-5115
Email: audrey.manley@vcuhealth.org
Christal Schools
Administrative Support Coordinator
Christal Schools
Administrative Support Coordinator
Office of Student Affairs