The Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) supports Wake Forest University School of Medicine students’ personal and professional development while also equipping them with skills that promote personal reflection, lifelong learning and collaboration.

Medical students in the Class of 2026 will be the first cohort able to utilize this resource. Participating students will be assigned a personal and professional development (PPD) coach who will support a collaborative learning environment; additionally, these coaches will provide students with individual and group support as well as programming that fosters leadership and character development. This initiative aims to nurture the holistic growth and development of medical, healthcare and biomedical professionals.

CPPD Personal and Professional Development Coaches

  • Four coaches are assigned by designated Houses.
  • Students will receive longitudinal coaching based on four pillars: academic success, wellbeing, career exploration, and culture and community.
  • Coach offices are located on the third floor of the Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education – this location, which is adjacent to the Houses, is intended to provide a space for students to drop in for connection or support, whenever needed.

CPPD is supported by funding from the Kern Family Foundation, which recently awarded Wake Forest University an $8.6 million grant to develop programs that put character at the center of preparing students for work in the professions. In collaboration with the Kern National Network for Caring and Character in Medicine and the Wake Forest Program for Leadership and Character, CPPD will gradually expand programming to include all health science programs at the School of Medicine in addition to the Charlotte regional campus.

If a student needs support, please complete this referral form and a designated house-assigned coach will reach out to the student to connect them with the most appropriate resources.