Student Bulletin 2017-2018 Academic advising Academic records

98 Pages·2017·1.29 MB·English

Student Bulletin
2017-2018

Academic advising
In accordance with Geisinger Commonwealth’s mission, advising services are based on
a model that is developmental and proactive in nature. This model aims to help learners
maximize their potential by providing differential assistance and support to students
throughout their education as they build upon their science/research base and develop
clinical and professional skills.
Advising is delivered through the construction of advising teams. Each team will be led
by a full-time faculty or professional staff member. This structured and consistent
approach supports students while interfacing with the career curriculum offered through
the “professional identity formation competency” content within the full educational
program. This model affords students a holistic experience through the efforts of small-
group advising teams and individual meetings to monitor students’ progress and support
their achievement of professional competencies.

Academic records
Student academic records are confidential and are maintained in the school registrar’s
office. Records will be available to students for review in accordance with the provisions
of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA).
FERPA allows disclosure of student information without consent to school officials with
legitimate educational interests, i.e., if the official needs to review an education record in
order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. A student may request that official
copies of his/her academic transcripts be sent to designated individuals or organizations
by providing a signed transcript-request form and the established fee to the registrar’s
office. Unofficial transcripts are available at any time upon request. If a student or
former student has any outstanding obligations to Geisinger Commonwealth, financial
or otherwise, release of the official records will be withheld until the obligations are
satisfied.
The student may request, in writing, an amendment to the education record that he or
she believes is inaccurate or misleading. The request should be directed to the vice
dean/vice president for academic affairs. The vice dean/vice president for academic
affairs, or a designee, will consult the school official or faculty member responsible for
the record. The vice dean/vice president for academic affairs will notify the student of
1
the decision. The student may appeal the decision in writing to the dean. The dean will
make the final determination and notify the student of the decision.

Accreditation
Accreditation is a process of peer review that the educational community has adopted
for its self-regulation since early in the 20th century. It is a voluntary process intended to
strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of higher education, making it worthy of
public confidence. Institutions choose to apply for accredited status, and once
accredited, they agree to abide by the standards of their accrediting organization and to
regulate themselves by taking responsibility for their own improvement.

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine is accredited by the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) to award master’s and doctor’s degrees.
MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of
Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Inquires can be referred
to Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market St., 2nd Fl. West,
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2680 or by phone to 215-662-5501. Additional information is
available online.

MSCHE “Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation”

Individual programmatic accreditations

Doctor of Medicine program
The Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on
Medical Education (LCME). In July 2014, Geisinger Commonwealth received full
accreditation by LCME, which certifies that the MD program meets national standards
for structure and function. Contact the LCME.

Administrative leadership
President’s cabinet

Steven J. Scheinman, MD, President and Dean
Ida L. Castro, JD, Vice President for Community Engagement and Chief Diversity
Officer
Marise Garofalo, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
William F. Iobst, MD, FACP, Vice President for Academic & Clinical Affairs and Vice
Dean for Medical Education
Venard Scott Koerwer, EdD, Vice President for Strategy, Planning & Communication
2
and Vice Dean for Graduate Education
Anna M. Rusnak Noon, CPA, MBA, Vice President for Finance & Administration and
Chief Financial Officer
Rebecca S. Slangan, MBA, Executive Office Manager

Leadership council

Steven J. Scheinman, MD, President and Dean
Tanja Adonizio, MD, Associate Dean for Student Affairs
John A. Arnott, PhD, Assistant Professor of Cell Biology and Chair of Faculty Council
David Averill, PhD, Chair of Basic Sciences
Jennifer Boardman, PhD, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs for the School of
Graduate Studies and Associate Professor of Microbiology & Immunology
Ida L. Castro, JD, Vice President for Community Engagement and Chief Diversity
Officer
Heather M. Davis, MFA, Director of Marketing & Communications
Andrea DiMattia, MEd, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs & Faculty Development and
Director of Academic & Clinical Affairs
Michael Ferraro, MD, Regional Associate Dean, South Campus
Stephen R. Fisk, Associate Director, Human Resources
Marise Garofalo, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
John Gorczyk, Director of Facilities & Public Safety
William F. Iobst, MD, FACP, Vice President for Academic & Clinical Affairs and Vice
Dean for Medical Education
Venard Scott Koerwer, EdD, Vice President for Strategy, Planning & Communication
and Vice Dean for Graduate Education
John Kulp, PhD, Regional Assistant Dean, Doylestown Campus
Teresa Lacey, RN, Executive Director, Behavioral Health Initiative
Edward Lahart, MS, Registrar and Chair of Staff Council
James Michaels, MBA, Chief Information Officer
Andrea Mulrine, CFRE, Senior Director of Advancement Operations / Campaign
Manager
Kevin A. Perneta, MBA, Director of the Office of Institutional Research, Planning and
Effectiveness
Sonia L. Planey, PhD, Interim Associate Dean for Research
Anna M. Rusnak Noon, CPA, MBA, Vice President for Finance & Administration and
Chief Financial Officer
Michelle Schmude, EdD, Associate Dean for Admissions, Enrollment Management &
Financial Aid and Assistant Professor
Shubhra Shetty, MD, Regional Associate Dean, North Campus
Rebecca S. Slangan, MBA, Executive Office Manager
Erin Sutzko, EdD, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Director of Graduate
Admissions
Michelle Thompson, MD, Associate Chief Academic Officer, Graduate Medical
3
Education
Janet M. Townsend, MD, Interim Regional Associate Dean, Central Campus
Thomas VanderMeer, MD, Regional Associate Dean, Guthrie Campus
Carien Williams, JD, Associate Dean for Curriculum
Nicole Woll, PhD, Vice President, Faculty & Curriculum Development
Harry Wollman, MD, Interim Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical
Education
Elizabeth Zygmunt, Director of Media & Public Relations

Admissions office
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (Geisinger Commonwealth) Office of
Admissions is responsible for recruitment, admission and enrollment of students who
exemplify our misson to serve northeastern Pennsylvania’s healthcare needs and share
our core values of academic excellence, experiential diversity and service for the
medical and graduate school programs. Students admitted to Geisinger Commonwealth
create a legacy of physicians and healthcare professionals who are dedicated to
improving the quality and delivery of healthcare for all. The Office of Admissions works
with prospective students year-round.
MD application process
The Doctor of Medicine (MD) application cycle begins in June and can continue until the
following August. All candidates must complete an application online via the American
Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Applicants need to submit all requested
documentation to AMCAS, along with the necessary application fee. All completed and
verified AMCAS applications are downloaded into Geisinger Commonwealth’s
application system.
Upon receipt of the verified AMCAS application, candidates are invited to complete the
Geisinger Commonwealth secondary application, and submit the required $100
application fee. Students who have received a waiver via the AMCAS Fee Assistance
Program (FAP) will also receive a waiver for the secondary application. The secondary
application is designed to evaluate a candidate’s match with Geisinger
Commonwealth’s unique mission, values and educational philosophy.
All applicants are required to submit one pre-professional/pre-health/committee letter or
three evaluation/recommendation letters from faculty who are familiar with the
applicant’s career goals and academic coursework. Geisinger Commonwealth
participates in the AMCAS letter service and letters should be submitted through the
candidate’s AMCAS application.
4
Candidates are notified via email when their application status changes. Students may
also monitor their application status by logging into the student portal provided by
Geisinger Commonwealth.
MD application review
Applications that contain a verified AMCAS application, a completed secondary
application, MCAT scores and letters of recommendation are considered complete and
are sent to be screened and reviewed holistically by the Admissions Committee. The
Admissions Committee considers academic ability, extracurricular involvement and
candidate’s overall “fit” with Geisinger Commonwealth’s mission and values when
evaluating candidates.
MD interview day
Applicants who appear to be a match for Geisinger Commonwealth and who, after
screening by the Admissions Committee, are deemed as meeting the screening criteria,
are offered an interview at Geisinger Commonwealth. The interview day is structured to
provide applicants with the greatest exposure to Geisinger Commonwealth’s people,
facilities and curriculum. Interviews are conducted on the main campus of the school in
Scranton, Pa. from September through February or until all selected candidates have
completed an interview. Interviews are held on Mondays and Fridays and some select
Wednesdays and Saturdays. The interview day begins with a welcome and two 30-
minute interviews with a Geisinger Commonwealth faculty member and/or clinician, and
a second-year medical student. Following the interview, candidates attend a
presentation on the Geisinger Commonwealth curriculum and then have lunch with
current medical students. During lunch, applicants have the opportunity to speak with
current students to learn what life is really like as a Geisinger Commonwealth medical
student. After lunch, candidates tour the Medical Sciences Building, attend an
admissions, financial aid and student affairs presentation, and complete an anonymous
online survey before departure. The entire interview process lasts approximately six
hours.
MD selection process
Upon completion of the interview, both the faculty and student interviewer complete and
electronically submit an interview evaluation form. Upon receipt of the evaluations, the
candidate’s file becomes complete and is sent to the Admissions Committee for review.
Each member of the Admissions Committee independently reviews each candidate’s
file and submits a score. When all members of the committee have scored the file, it is
ready to be discussed by committee members. The Admissions Committee meets
regularly each month to discuss application files and to render admissions decisions.
5
When a student is offered a place in Geisinger Commonwealth’s MD class, they are
notified via email and paper mail. Students can expect to receive an admissions
decision six to eight weeks after their interview date.
Students placed on the waitlist can be offered admission until the first day of orientation.

Board of Trustees
Robert Dietz, Chair
Earl Foura, Vice Chair
David T. Feinberg, MD, MBA
Pedro J. Greer, Jr., MD
V. Chris Holcombe, PE
David H. Ledbetter, PhD, FACMG
Virginia McGregor
David B. Nash, MD, MBA
Deborah E. Powell, MD
Steven J. Scheinman, MD
Board officers
President: Steven J. Scheinman, MD
Geisinger Health System Executive Vice President, Chief Academic Officer
Treasurer: Kevin F. Brennan
Geisinger Health System Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Secretary: Atty. David J. Felicio
Geisinger Health System Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer
Assistant Secretary: Atty. Daniel E. Lohr
Geisinger Health System Associate Chief Legal Officer

Bursar’s office
Hours
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Bursar’s office is located in the east wing
of the Medical Sciences Building on the third floor. Office hours are Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office will be closed on college
holidays. Individual appointments may be made by calling the office at 570-504-9075 or
6
by email at [email protected]. The Bursar’s Office is the sole source of official
information concerning tuition/fee rates and policies. All inquiries regarding tuition/fee
charges and account payment responsibilities should be addressed to this office.
Main duties and responsibilities
Billing and collection
Students receive estimated bills approximately 30 days before the start of class. Full
payment of all charges, less applicable financial aid, is due by the first day of
class. Estimated bills and actual bills are available to students through the Empower
student portal.
• Geisinger Commonwealth does not accept credit card payments.
• Payments can be made via cash or check either in person at the Bursar’s Office
or by being mailed to the bursar at 525 Pine Street, Scranton, PA 18509.
• Bank wires and electronic checks are also accepted. Please
contact [email protected] for further information.
Geisinger Commonwealth reserves the right to cancel the registration of a student with
an unmet financial obligation that results for any reason. Furthermore, Geisinger
Commonwealth reserves the right to withhold a diploma, transcript, letters of
recommendation or other official documents for a student with an outstanding financial
obligation to the school.
Student refunds – credit balances
If a credit balance occurs on a student’s account after billed tuition and fees are fully
paid, the resulting credit balance will be refunded to the student so the funds may be
used for other cost of attendance expenses. Refunds of credit balances are made within
14 days after a credit balance occurs. Students will be responsible for the immediate
payment of any charges that are added to his or her student account after a refund
occurs. Refunds related to withdrawal, dismissal or leaves of absence are addressed
under the Geisinger Commonwealth Refund Policy. Please note that financial aid will
not be posted to student accounts until the first day of class for students.
Direct deposits are available to students to allow for faster receipt of funds. Please
contact [email protected] for a direct deposit form and further information.
Payment & refund policies
This cancellation policy applies to students who choose to withdraw, take a leave of
absence or are dismissed for any reason. In order for a student to be eligible for any
cancellation or refund, the student must submit his or her notice of withdrawal, in writing
or orally, to the associate dean for student affairs. The date of the receipt of this notice
7
determines the official date of withdrawal. Exceptions to this policy will be reviewed on a
case by case basis by the associate dean for student affairs and the chief financial
officer.
Refunds will be made according to the following:
Date of withdrawal *Cancellation percentage
• On or before the first day of classes 100%
• Up to the end of the second week of classes 75%
• Up to the end of the fourth week of classes 50%
• Up to the end of the sixth week of classes 25%
• After the end of the sixth week of classes 0%
*Cancellation percentage refers to the percentage of a semester’s tuition charges that
will be cancelled upon withdrawal.
Ordinarily, fees are non-refundable except for the technology fee, the student health
insurance fee, and the disability fee, under certain conditions. Under certain conditions,
the MD Technology Fee and MBS Technology Fee may be refundable according to the
terms of the technology lease which each student is required to sign before receiving
hardware and/or software. The Student Health Insurance Fee may be prorated as
described in the Student Health Insurance Policy. The Disability Insurance Fee is
refundable for withdrawals that occur before the first day of classes (or before the first
day of orientation for new students). Any changes to this refund policy will be provided
to students with their student invoices.
For purposes of this policy, one week equals five class days. The first day of classes for
the fall and spring terms is the date published in the school’s Student Bulletin.
The death of a student shall cancel charges for tuition as of the date of death and the
tuition will be adjusted on a pro rata basis.
The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 require that when a recipient of Title IV
grant or loan assistance withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period
of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution must determine the
amount of Title IV grant or loan assistance that the student earned as of the student’s
withdrawal date. A refund according to the school policy may be due to the student, but
for students who are recipients of federal Title IV funds, the money may, based upon
date of withdrawal, be returned to the aid program from which the funds were disbursed.
Students are encouraged to contact the Geisinger Commonwealth Financial Aid Office
for additional Information or if they have questions regarding this policy. Refunds will be
8
processed and sent to the student within five business days after notification to
Geisinger Commonwealth of withdrawal.
All refund policies, return of Title IV funds policy and the procedures students must
follow to officially withdraw from the college can be found on the Geisinger
Commonwealth website and portal.
Federal regulations concerning privacy & confidentiality
Due to very strict federal regulations concerning privacy and confidentiality, the Bursar’s
Office will not be able to discuss or release information regarding a student’s account
without the student’s written approval. This includes phone calls related to the payment
of bills. Students who desire to have the Bursar’s Office discuss their bills with
appropriate people (such as parents, who wish to make payments, spouses, etc.),
should visit the office and complete a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA) permission form, giving the Bursar’s Office these permissions. This form will
also be available through the Geisinger Commonwealth portal for current students.

Career services
Career development for MD students
The Geisinger Commonwealth’s Career Curriculum is embedded within the Professional
Identity Formation competency content and embodies our mission and values. It relies
on current career development theories and models to assist students in their
Professional Identity formation, utilizing the Careers in Medicine model to support all
phases of the career decision making process for students and offers training and
development to prepare faculty and career advisors for their roles.
The career advising system ensures that students have the knowledge, support and
resources necessary to make informed decisions. The combination of the centrally
provided content and individual processing opportunities allows for multiple touch points
with students throughout their medical careers.
Medical students can expect the following outcomes from active participation in the
career planning process:
• Development and articulation of professional identity in an interpersonal
context.
• An understanding of the important steps necessary toward students’ journey of
self-authorship and engagement in continual self-assessment and reflection to
identify their skills, abilities and interests in the selection of a medical specialty.
• Development of a self-directed career and resource identification plan.
9
• Enhancement of interpersonal communication skills through the development of
a competitive curriculum vitae, personal statement and mock interviews.
• Further development of professional skills necessary to effectively interact with
others.
• Demonstration of professional behavior consistent with valuing difference in all
settings.
• Demonstration skills of reflection through writing and discussion.
• Integration of content knowledge from other courses.
Career planning resources:
• Geisinger Commonwealth utilizes the Careers in Medicine (CiM) program
sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges. This program is
designed to assist medical students with specialty selection and career planning
using a well-established decision-making process.
Additional resources:
• Professional Identity Formation Sessions integrated into the curriculum
• Academic Advisor/Team Meetings
• Student Affairs Career Coach
• Associate Dean of Student Affairs
• Residency Planning Team
• Assistant Specialty Chairs
• Regional Assistant Deans
• Regional Education Coordinators
• Faculty Preceptors
• Program Directors
• Find Your Specialty Series
• Club/ Organization Events
• Upper-Class Students
• Alumni
For more information on career planning, please contact Julia Kolcharno, MA, director
of student development, academic advising and career engagement, via
email [email protected] or by phone at 570-504-9635.
Career development for MBS students
The School of Graduate Studies supports students as they develop future educational
and career goals in healthcare delivery, biomedical research and industry. Opportunities
for networking, corporate and laboratory tours and professional shadowing are offered
in a variety of settings. Students are assisted as they develop their curriculum vitae,
their personal statements, their professional and medical school applications and as
they prepare for professional and educational interviews.
10