MD/PhD Program

College

  • Center City Campus
  • Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Degree Earned

  • Doctorate

Program Length

8 years

Program Type

  • On Campus

Prerequisites

Baccalaureate degree 
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Leadership

Name: Scott A. Waldman, MD, PhD, FCP
Position: Director, MD/PhD Program

1020 Locust Street
Jefferson Alumni Hall, 368
Philadelphia, PA 19107-5244

Contact Number(s):

Leadership

Name: Manuel Covarrubias, MD, PhD
Position: Director, MD/PhD Program

233 South 10th Street
Bluemle Life Sciences Building, 221A
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Contact Number(s):

Program Information

Name: Danielle Park
Position: Administrative Director
Contact Number(s):

Activities & Opportunities

Jefferson Physician Scientist Association

The Jefferson Physician Scientist Association (JPSA) was founded in Fall 2010 with the purpose of advancing the future of translational medicine and representing the position of MD/PhD students in academic and extracurricular matters. Membership includes all students enrolled in the MD/PhD Program who will be primarily recruited at the annual MD/PhD orientation and welcome in early fall of each academic year. Officers are elected annually.

Officers (2022)

Title Officer
President Signe Caksa
Secretary Andrea Berghella
Treasurer Thomas Kuret
VPs for Academic Affairs Siddharth Karthikeyan, Nikolas Kinney
VPs for Educational Enrichment Tyler Alexander, Phuong Le
VP for Community and Cultural Affairs Samantha Thomas, Adam Marc, David Jaffe
VPs for Recruitment Debotri Chatterjee, Miao Cao, Jacob Myers
APSA Institutional Representative Yanki Yarman, Gavin Bond

Responsibilities of the Vice Presidents

Academic Affairs

Sit on the MD/PhD Steering Committee and represent students at all stages of the program; serve as the student voice for recruitment, admissions, and MD/PhD program direction and development. Organize two annual mentorship dinners with an invited speaker who shares their career trajectory and advice on being a successful physician-scientist.

Educational Enrichment

Organize educational and career-development seminars for MD/PhD students. These include opportunities for lower-year students to hear advice from upper-years (“how to apply for an F-30 grant”, “how to choose a lab rotation”, and “how to return to medical school” seminars) or from faculty (“how to publish in a high-tier journal” seminar), as well as monthly clinical skills sessions with current residents.

Community & Cultural Affairs

Organize social activities for the MD/PhD cohort throughout the year. Coordinate efforts to interact with groups and individuals outside of the JPSA community, including other MD/PhD programs in the greater Philadelphia area. Create and maintain an alumni network. 

Recruitment

Develop and organize MD/PhD interview days and second look visit days. Interface between applicants and current students. Represent students on the admissions committee (non-voting).

American Physician Scientists Association

Founded by trainees, for trainees, and continues to be trainee-led. It is the premier organization for physician-scientist trainee advocacy. The Jefferson College of Life Sciences maintains an institutional membership for students in the MD/PhD program. Students have the opportunity to attend the annual AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting. Visit the APSA website for information about membership, career paths, and funding opportunities.