Programs of Distinction

Like the field of medicine itself, medical education continues to evolve. The era of full-day lectures and exclusive "book learning" is drawing to a close. Interactive(case-based) learning, simulation, and early clinical exposure are replacing historically rigid designs. Instead of simply teaching "what a doctor needs to know," medical education is bending toward "how to be a doctor." What is not included, however, are courses/educational opportunities designed to foster character growth in the face of adversity.

The Active Resilience Training (ART) in Medicine program proposes to fill this void. At key inflection points within medical student training that are often associated with higher degrees of stress or the potential for burnout, the ART program will teach and promote actions, attributes, and behaviors that foster resilience.

Campus: Winston-Salem

Cohort or Timing: Fall or Spring MS1

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Faculty Contact

David Popoli, MD
Email

Marcia Wofford, MD
Email

Global health is “an area for study, research, and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide” (Koplan JP, et al. Lancet 2009;373:1993-1995). Given the importance of Global Health education and training and the growing demand from our learners, Wake Forest University School of Medicine has developed a Global Health Scholarly Concentration. To prepare and educate the next generation of learners, the longitudinal curriculum certificate program provides students with a better understanding of the interdisciplinary nature, transnational issues, and determinants of global health while also reducing health inequalities in underserved populations locally. The global health scholarly concentration consists of a 20-month longitudinal curriculum and faculty-mentored scholarly capstone project.   Through this program, students are equipped to build a foundation of knowledge that will serve to advocate for and promote innovative approaches to solving complex global health problems so that individuals can be healthy and live productively. The Global Health Program within the School of Medicine has been in place since 2014. Since then, the 2-year program has graduated many cohorts of students (2014-16, 2016-18, 2018-20, 2020-22, and 2022-24).

Campus: Charlotte and Winston-Salem

Cohort or Timing: Anticipated Call for Applications: MS29 Spring 2026; MS30 July/August 2026.

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Faculty Contact

Avinash Shetty, MD
Email

The program has been designed to provide health equity education and training opportunities to medical students, graduate students, and medical residents who are part of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine system. The program focuses on experiences to increase knowledge regarding health disparities, health policy, social determinants of health, and the care of medically underserved populations. This training engages participants in the planning and development of effective solutions to address health inequities presented in the curriculum. Participants will be prepared to integrate an understanding of the social, cultural, and other non-medical factors that influence health outcomes for patients into their professional work. Hosted by Maya Angelou Research Center for Healthy Communities (MARCH) within the School of Medicine, the Health Equity Concentration Program offers multidisciplinary educational and professional development opportunities for medical, nursing, and graduate students as well as medical residents and fellows. The format of the concentration will include self-directed coursework, monthly group sessions on topical issues in health equity, interspersed with virtual learning opportunities, a “Community Plunge” tour, and activities in the community. A capstone project conducted in conjunction with a community organization or Affiliate Faculty member, dissemination at a health equity symposium, and submission of program evaluations will be required for successful completion of the program. The Health Equity Concentration Program can be extended to the clinical years by combining it with the Health Equity Elective Rotation.

Campus: Charlotte and Winston-Salem

Cohort or Timing: Cohort opens every other year with recruitment starting in late summer.

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Faculty Contacts

Nancy Denizard-Thompson, MD
Email

Kimberly Montez, MD
Email

Training in adult learning theory and evidence-based instructional design is essential for enhancing the effectiveness of teaching in health professions education. The Interprofessional Medical Education Concentration was developed to provide this foundational training to health professions students, particularly those aspiring for future careers in academic medicine.

Campus: Charlotte and Winston-Salem

Cohort or Timing: Recruitment in the Fall of Year 2.

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Faculty Contact

Michelle Keating, DO
Email

The MAESTRO Program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine aims to train culturally respectful Spanish-speaking providers who will go on to care for the increasing number of Hispanic patients in Winston-Salem and across the U.S. The ultimate goal of the MAESTRO program is to make a contribution in the fight against health inequities. We seek to equip medical students with the necessary cultural awareness and communication skills to care effectively for Spanish-speaking patients and positively impact the health and well-being of this growing and underserved population.

Campus: Charlotte and Winston Salem

Cohort or Timing: Fall of Year 1

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Faculty Contact

The RAW Medicine Scholarly Concentration provides a longitudinal educational experience for MS2 to MS4 students, focusing on the practice of medicine in austere, extreme, and resource-limited environments. Through a combination of didactic instruction, experiential learning, and independent scholarship, students will develop critical decision-making skills, resilience, and adaptability necessary for medical practice in wilderness and disaster scenarios.

Campus: Winston-Salem; some activities cross-campus

Cohort or Timing: Spring of year 1

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Faculty Contacts

Christopher Davis, MD
Email

Abigail Smith Wehner
Email

The Advanced Training in Gender and Sexual Minority Health Care Scholarly Program is designed to support the cultivation of critical knowledge to enhance the delivery of quality, culturally competent patient-centered care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. This program includes a comprehensive series of modules involving a variety of medical specialties including but not limited to Primary Care, Adolescent Medicine, Psychiatry, Endocrinology, OBGYN, and Plastic and Urologic Surgery. Topics included in the curriculum include Social Determinants of Health, Sexual Health and Wellness, Gender Affirming Care, Family Planning, Vocal Therapy, and Advancements in GSM Research and Innovation.

Campus: Winston-Salem

Cohort or Timing: Programming typically begins in October

FacultyAdvisor

Katherine Schafer, MD
Email

Student Contacts

Nicholas Schneider
Email

Chyanne Thompson-Quartey
Email

Anatomy and Physiology Peer-Led Education (APPLE) is a student group which serves as a peer-facilitated study resource for first-year medical students completing the HSF course on the Winston Salem campus at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The goal of this program is to develop competency in the anatomy curriculum, as well as in peer-directed education and mentorship.

Campus: Winston-Salem

Cohort or Timing: Outreach during HSF course

Faculty Advisor

Thomas Perrault, PhD
Email

Student Contacts

Andrew Brola 
Email

Florence Pun 
Email

Hannah Martell
Email

To increase awareness and education in the field of ophthalmology and to expose students to the various subspecialties in ophthalmology through ophthalmology related community service and online learning modules. Students will interact with several ophthalmology faculty who can provide mentorship and detail their journey to ophthalmology.

Campus: Winston-Salem; Development in Charlotte ongoing pending student interest

Cohort or Timing: Fall of Year 1 

FacultyAdvisor

Gillian Treadwell, MD
Email

Student Contacts

Samuel Tarry
Email

Emily Fresenko
Email

The Culinary Medicine Scholarly Program is an educational and service-learning opportunity for students in the MD Program at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine that focuses on building nutrition knowledge and skills that will translate to future patient care. This program focuses on 3 core principles:

1. Education
2. Skill Building
3. Service

Cohort or Timing: M1 Students begin with Doctors in the Kitchen Series, completed during the Fall or Spring of Year 1. Look for Communication around early August.

Faculty Leader

Joseph Skelton, MD
Email

The Culinary Medicine Scholarly Program is a longitudinal, experiential program that bridges medical science and everyday nutrition by empowering medical students to apply evidence-based dietary principles and practical culinary skills in clinical and community settings. Through a structured combination of didactic education, self-directed learning, hands-on kitchen skill-building, and service-oriented community engagement, the program prepares future physicians to confidently use food as a tool for prevention, healing, and health equity.

FacultyAdvisor

Andrew Nance, MD 
Email

Student Contacts

Addison Van Namen
Email

Bennett Ann McIver
Email

Financial stress has been well-documented as a burden on medical professionals in training. In fact, student loan burdens and low financial literacy have been linked to lower In-Training Exam (ITE) scores in residency, increased burnout, and has been shown to impact both specialty and fellowship choices. In addition to this, the landscape of medicine is constantly changing as reimbursements fall and margin shrinks, leading to consolidation of the healthcare landscape. For this reason, it has never been more important than now for physicians to learn about the healthcare system, the business of medicine, and the value that they provide. FLARE aims to solve both of these problems by reducing financial stress among graduating medical students through financial literacy and equipping our students to not only understand the revenue that is generated in medicine, but the value that they provide in creating it as physicians in an ever more complicated healthcare landscape.

Campus: Charlotte and Winston-Salem

Cohort or Timing: Year 4 Spring Term

Faculty Leader

Jimmy Turner, MD
Email

The Heart Scholars (Cardiology Scholars Program) is a student-led longitudinal enrichment initiative designed to increase early exposure, interest, and preparedness in cardiovascular medicine among medical students. The program integrates case-based learning, hands-on workshops, clinical shadowing, and career exploration panels to complement the formal cardiology curriculum.

Its primary purpose is to provide early cardiology exposure to students in foundational diagnostic skills (e.g., EKG interpretation, cardiac ultrasound familiarity), clinical reasoning tools, and access to mentorship within the field. Through structured experiential learning and intentional faculty engagement, the program aims to foster informed career exploration, professional development, and sustained interest in cardiovascular medicine.

Campus: Charlotte and Winston-Salem

Cohort or Timing: Year 4 Spring Term

Faculty Leader

Amin Shaw, PhD
Email

Hadley Wilson, MD
Email

Student Contacts

Danielle Medina-Hernandez
Email

Cheshta Prasad
Email

Rei Rama
Email

Eli Dherete
Email

To increase awareness and education about the integrative medicine approach and modalities so that the learner can be knowledgeable in-patient counseling and appropriate referrals (such as to an integrative specialist/nutritionist, etc.) regarding these topics to address a variety of patient concerns. Through service-learning opportunities, educational and experiential experiences, as well as pursuing student-led initiatives as a final project, students will build confidence, resilience, and familiarity with the practice and application of integrative medicine in healthcare.

Campus: Charlotte and Winston-Salem

Cohort or Timing: Begins Fall of MS1

Faculty Leader

Vanessa Baute, MD
Email

This program connects students with faculty advisors and opportunities to explore pathology as a specialty. It also helps students strengthen pathology skills for step 1 and beyond. Participants are connected with faculty so that they can ask questions about the profession, and through hands-on autopsy and biopsy interpreting sessions can experience life as pathology residents for the day.

Campus: Winston-Salem and Charlotte.

Cohort or Timing: Program Begins Winter of M1 Year. Look out for a welcome email.

Faculty Contacts

Mark Giffen, MD
Email

Student Contacts

Elinor Grage
Email

Alexandra Stefanis
Email

The Point of Care ultrasound program provides students with instruction beyond the required US curriculum and is intended to move students from the knowledge acquisition phase of ultrasound learning to performance. Students who complete the program will be able to demonstrate the appropriate performance of one or more bedside ultrasound exams and have applied that skill to a number of actual patient encounters.

Campus: Winston Salem

Cohort or Timing: Dr. Glass will introduce the program during HSF ultrasound but most of program requirements timed in year 3.

Faculty Contact

Casey Glass, MD
Email

The Radiology Scholars Program (RSP) is a point-based, year-long extracurricular radiology program supported by the Wake Forest Department of Radiology. It supplements the preclinical medical curriculum by offering students structured, hands-on exposure to radiology. RSCP consists of four core components:

1. Radiology shadowing
2. Knowledge acquisition through CaseStacks.com modules
3. Interactive workshops and team-based exam preparation sessions
4. A capstone scholarly project

Campus: Charlotte and Winston Salem

Cohort or Timing: Fall of Year 1.

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Faculty Contact

Kevin Hiatt, MD
Email

The Service Learning Scholar Program (SLS) is a longitudinal experience that connects medical students with meaningful service opportunities in both healthcare and non-healthcare settings. The program promotes student engagement in the community while encouraging reflection on issues related to health equity, access, and advocacy.

Campus: Charlotte and Winston Salem

Cohort or Timing: Introduction during Orientation/Launch

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Faculty Contact

Marcia Wofford, MD
Email

Student Contacts

Julianna Miranda
Email

Riley Hurr
Email

Sumera Sandhir
Email

The Spectrum of Pain and Addiction Scholar Program will provide students the opportunity to explore a holistic view of care for patients with pain or substance use disorders. Through the perspectives of providers and patients, as well as community engagement, this program will improve scientific and medical knowledge and decrease stigma surrounding these topics.

Campus: Winston Salem expanding to include Charlotte

Cohort or Timing: Email outreach at beginning of the year.

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Faculty Advisor

Jennifer Betts Oliver, DO, MPH
Email

Student Contact

Jesse Lynch
Email

The Students Pursuing Advancement in Research (SPAR) Scholarly Concentration is a 15-month longitudinal program designed to provide medical students with structured training in research literacy, scientific inquiry, and scholarly communication. Beginning in September of the first year of medical school and concluding in December of the second year, the program integrates research education with the preclinical curriculum to foster early development of research competencies.

The SPAR program emphasizes critical appraisal of the medical literature, foundational research design and quantitative skills, ethical conduct of research, and effective dissemination of scholarly work. Core components include student-led research seminars, block-aligned journal clubs facilitated by clinical and scientific experts, skills-based workshops, and distinguished faculty lectures. Students are also required to present their work in a formal seminar, promoting the development of presentation, defense, and professional communication skills.

Through a combination of required and elective scholarly activities, SPAR offers flexibility for students to tailor their experience to individual interests while maintaining rigorous core training. The program fosters a collaborative scholarly community, provides exposure to diverse research environments and career pathways, and prepares students to engage meaningfully with research throughout medical school and beyond. 

Faculty Advisor

Lauren Fowler, PhD 
Email

Student Contacts

John West 
Email

Ashwin Sannecy
Email

Danielle MedinaHernandez
Email

Cheshta Prasad 
Email

This program aims to create a more equitable, affordable, and transparent health system by training medical students to communicate financial and insurance information to patients in an empowering way. Through a two-pronged approach, students will learn about healthcare waste, high-value and cost-effective care, and health insurance to better guide patients in making informed treatment decisions.

Campus: Winston Salem

Cohort or Timing: Outreach during year 1

Faculty Advisor

Amresh Hanchate, MD
Email

Student Contacts

Landon Burton
Email

Steven Cayea
Email

The Vascular Ultrasound Scholar Program is an educational opportunity for students in the MD Program at the Wake Forest School of Medicine and visiting MS4 students participating in the Vascular Surgery acting intern (AI) rotation. The goal is to understand, learn, and interpret vascular ultrasound techniques and studies which inform patient care. This program focuses on two core principles: Education and Skill building.

The education focus is on various arterial and venous pathologies, how ultrasound is used to aid diagnosis, and image interpretation. Didactics cover the basics of ultrasound image acquisition, image interpretation, and clinical application. There will be ample opportunity for practicing image interpretation. 

Didactic blocks include arterial pathology (lower extremity arterial duplex and ankle brachial index - ABI), extracranial carotid duplex, venous duplex (upper and lower deep venous thrombosis) and aortoiliac pathology (aneurysm and occlusive disease). At the end of the system blocks, students will present a 5-to-10-minute presentation about a vascular case seen in the vascular lab with independent interpretation and treatment plan.

Second, this program builds students' ability to perform ultrasound and acquire images. This would be done through vascular ultrasound lab under direct supervision of registered vascular technicians. Students will learn proper probe selection, pitfalls of image acquisition and how to adjust image quality. For each of the four core didactic blocks, there will be corresponding hands-on practice in the vascular lab. 

Faculty Advisors

Ashlee Stutsrim, MD
Email

Daniel Kindell, MD
Email

Student Contacts

Reid Christensen
Email