Office of Student Affairs

Collaborative Approach to Learning Medicine (CALM)

CALM (Collaborative Approaches to Learning Medicine) is a student-run organization that provides tutors and mentors for incoming first-year students. CALM is comprised of two main divisions:

The CALM Academic Support Program provides review sessions, mock practicals, and practice questions in preparation for exams. First-year students can also arrange to meet one-on-one or in small groups to review course content with second-year tutors. CALM also provides review sessions right before each of your exams to help understand the format of the tests and to get an idea of the material being tested.

The CALM Peer Mentoring Program pairs incoming students with second-year students who will serve as a source for academic and social advising. You will be able to meet up with or email your mentor any questions or concerns you may have over the course of your medical education. Each of you will be placed in a “CALM group” made up of 6-7 first year-students and a few second-year mentors. CALM groups will meet occasionally to discuss how to succeed in certain classes, how to adjust to medical school, and various other topics. CALM groups will also meet up for social events (bar nights, bowling nights, etc).

Things for you to do before you get to Orientation:

• Take a look at the CALM Book Review to see what texts the Class of 2014 found helpful. Sometimes your mentor may have books you can borrow, so you may want to wait until the school year starts to purchase your books. The attached Book Review only covers the books for MGM, but we will provide a book review for all first year classes once school has started.

• Fill out the questionnaire at the latest by JULY 25 at this site so that we can match you with a mentor:
  o http://tinyurl.com/njmsorientation
  o If that link doesn’t work then go to https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHFJcDN0ZGlaVVlzSzN4QzMwREpPbXc6MQ
  

CLASS of 2015 CALM CONTACT LIST (PLEASE SAVE)

1. CALM Mentoring Coordinators can be contacted if there are any questions or concerns with mentoring.
Parimal Patel (p.patel@umdnj.edu)             Meghan McCormick (mccormmc@umdnj.edu)

2. CALM Tutoring Coordinators can be contacted to arrange course-specific, individual or small-group tutoring session at the beginning or middle of a course. Tutorials cannot usually be arranged immediately before an exam.
Jennifer Lee (leeh9@umdnj.edu)                Michael Ingargiola (ingargmj@umdnj.edu)

3. CALM Networking & Student Feedback Coordinator will check to see that CALM programs are running smoothly and ask mentors and mentees to give their feedback on CALM program activities for quality control.
Amit Chaudhari (chaudham@umdnj.edu)

4. CALM Academic Coordinators will conduct review sessions before exams.
Chris Morton (mortonc1@umdnj.edu)             Jade Ku (kuts@umdnj.edu)            Scott Pasichow (pasichsh@umdnj.edu)

5. CALM Faculty Advisor is available to assist with any additional or confidential needs you have regarding the CALM Program.
Dr. Sarah Karl (karl@umdnj.edu)