Medical Student Ambassadors
Our mission is to represent the University of Utah School of Medicine at institutional events, providing a face of the student body to visiting dignitaries and guests. We understand the importance of communicating a unified message for our school. Our goal is to present a positive perspective on our experiences as a medical student and an engaged member of the School of Medicine community.
Serving as a Student Ambassador requires a commitment throughout a student’s time in medical school. Yet, students participating in the program enrich their medical school experience by having opportunities to network with distinguished individuals from diverse backgrounds in the medical world and beyond.
Freshmen are given an opportunity to apply to participate in the program late in the fall semester. Their applications are then screened and vetted by the Deans of Education to select 12 students who are best suited for the role of an ambassador among the interested students. Student Ambassadors must maintain their academic good standing to remain in the program.
Student Ambassadors' Commitments & Leaders
Student Ambassadors may choose to withdraw from the program if at any time he or she feels they cannot continue to meet the program’s commitments. The Associate Dean of Student Affairs can ask an ambassador to withdraw from the program if the dean thinks the student is struggling academically or that he or she has been inappropriate at any time. Students are given an opportunity to renew their commitment to the program upon returning from a leave of absence.
The Deans of Education also select co-presidents from among the fourth-year medical students who meet all of the program’s commitments throughout their tenure as an ambassador and served as exemplary role models while participating in the program. In addition to serving as leaders, the co-presidents are responsible for the dissemination of information about the program and events supported by the program as well as ensuring an adequate number of Student Ambassadors are at each event. Their role also includes serving on the program’s Steering Committee.
Communication officers also assist with the dissemination of information about the events supported by the program and ensuring an adequate number of Student Ambassadors are at each event. Student Ambassadors choose their communication officers—two from each of the first-, second- and third-year class—at the annual meeting in January. The co-presidents serve as communication officers for the fourth-year class.
The Steering Committee guides the program and reviews all new requests for Student Ambassadors’ support. In addition to the co-presidents, the faculty advisor, special assistant to education, and the program’s coordinator serve on the Steering Committee. The Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Adam Stevenson, serves as the program’s faculty advisor.
Commitments
Student Ambassadors are encouraged to take every opportunity to engage the guests and members of the community at every event in addition to emphasizing the positive aspects of their tenure as a medical student.
Student Ambassadors are expected to serve at a minimum number of events during each academic year as noted below. Those events are hosted by—but not limited to—the School of Medicine, the School of Medicine’s Alumni Association and the Senior Vice President of Health Sciences. Student Ambassadors are responsible for finding a replacement if they cannot fulfill their commitment to support an event. Student Ambassadors are also required to respond to the program’s communications within two days or by the requested RSVP date and time to ensure all events are adequately supported.
Minimum Commitment for Facilitating Events
1st, 2nd, & 3rd-Year Students 3 Events
4th-Year Students As many events as their schedule will allow
Student Ambassadors represent the School of Medicine and the student body by not only their behavior and interactions with other people, but also through their appearance. Ambassadors are expected to wear professional business attire or attire appropriate—as announced—for the event they are facilitating. Ambassadors are also expected to wear their Student Ambassador scarf/tie and name badge to allow easy identification at events.
Please contact the Student Ambassador Staff Advisor with questions: sierra.canela@hsc.utah.edu
