Dr. Muller is sharing this FAQ and communication shared with students about early graduation at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai:
Message to students:
Dear Class of 2020,
You are on the cusp of entering clinical medicine at a moment in history that will be remembered for generations as one of the most challenging times our nation has ever faced. We want to do everything possible to make your transition to medical professionals as smooth and supportive as possible. We could not be more proud of all our students, and in particular your class, for the courage, devotion, and altruism you have demonstrated, and will continue to demonstrate throughout your careers.
For those of you who are interested, we have set an early date for conferral of your degrees for April 15. This early date is voluntary, and if you matched at a Mount Sinai program your decision to begin clinical work after early graduation is voluntary as well.
Many thanks to your class reps for helping compose this message.
Eligibility for early graduation
Students must have completed the online equivalent of all required rotations, including the sub-internship, Intro to Internship, and Emergency Medicine. Intro to Internship has been offered online starting Monday March 30 to April 10 in order to accommodate those of you who want to graduate on the April 15 date. At this time, any student who has not completed the sub-internship or Emergency Medicine will not be eligible for early graduation.
Grades for all previous clerkships and electives must be submitted in order to allow the school to generate a final transcript.
Students must have resolved all outstanding financial obligations.
Students must complete the ISMMS check-out process, which will be available online.
Who will be eligible to work clinically at Mount Sinai?
Only students who have matched at Mount Sinai will be eligible to begin clinical work in our Health System. We do not want students who are destined for other programs to run the risk of contracting COVID-19, thereby delaying their start of internship at other programs. In addition, given current travel recommendations, we want students leaving New York State to be able to abide by current quarantine regulations in their destination cities well in advance of their start dates.
Students who have matched at Mount Sinai:
- Will have the option for early onboarding in order to assist Mount Sinai with its efforts. A contract, salary and benefits will be offered. The specific status of our early-onboarders (medical corps until 7/1/2020 vs PGY1) is still being considered by the NYS Department of Health and ACGME. Once clarified, we will share this with you.
- Have already been contacted by the GME Office to begin the onboarding process using New Innovations.
- Will be on-boarded into a non-Accredited program, and will be moved to their matched program for July 1. No credit toward the boards can be awarded for work that precedes the official start of internship.
- Formal orientation sessions will begin after the early graduation date.
- All clinical care is in demand, not just Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, and every effort will be made to deploy students in clinical arenas that are not providing direct care to COVID+ patients.
- You may enter the GME housing lottery and may be placed in resident housing if a vacancy is identified.
All other students who choose to graduate early are welcome to stay in Sinai housing and continue their volunteer activities at ISMMS, or leave campus for any reason. We strongly encourage all students who choose to graduate early to reach out to their residency program directors in order to find out what their program’s manpower needs are.
Questions should be directed to the Med Ed COVID email. We have also included a list of frequently asked questions, attached and on the Med Info App.