Rodney M. Coe Award, M.D. with Distinction in Community Service

Program Description The M.D. with Distinction in Community Service is awarded upon graduation following the completion of a four-year award program at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.  It is designed to promote the acquisition of knowledge of community needs and resources and to foster within the Medical Student a positive attitude toward serving in the community.  The Coe Program is run by the department of community and family medicine and will provide an opportunity for students to develop a familiarity with the interventions applied to community health problems and acquire skills and develop leadership abilities necessary for work in the community. 

Application Application is made through the department of family and community medicine usually by December of the first year.  The Rodney M. Coe Committee will screen and accept applicants based upon the student's desire and commitment to participate in community service and based upon space availability in the Program.

Mentorship Once accepted into the Coe Program, students will be assigned to a faculty mentor from the department of community and family medicine to serve as their mentor throughout the four years of community service experiences.  The mentor is charged with following the student's progress, approving all qualifying experiences and providing guidance for the student's final project.

Award Requirements The student must remain in good academic standing as determined by standards set by the Committee on Student Progress and Program Planning.

The student must complete a minimum number of hours of community service experiences each year and a summer experience following year one of medical school training.  An experience during the third year is encouraged, but optional.  A list of community-focused electives will be provided that will qualify for these experiences; however, a student may also elect to design his or her own experience and have it approved by his or her mentor for completion.  Activities involve both community learning and active involvement in serving.  Experiences should have a health care focus.

The student must complete a fourth year project focusing on community service, provide a written description of the project, and publicly present their project in a community and/or educational setting.  The project and corresponding paper and presentation must be completed not less than ten weeks prior to graduation.

Each student's completed packet must contain the following: initial application, tracked experiences with their written reflections, and 4th year project components will be presented to her or her advisor and the RMC Committee no less than ten weeks prior to graduation.  The committee will verify that all requirements were met and recommend the Diploma Distinction to SLU School of Medicine.

Contact Information Any questions may be directed to either Kelly Everard, PhD, Education Coordinator keverard@slu.edu (977-8586) or David Pole, MPH, Director, Division of Community Health Promotion poledc@slu.edu (977-8484).

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