Learning Communities Program

The mission of the Chicago Medical School (CMS) Learning Communities (LCs) is to support the professional development of medical students by fostering an environment of academic excellence, professionalism, leadership, health and wellness, teamwork, mentorship, and interprofessionalism. The LCs seek to accomplish this mission by: 

• Creating a sense of community, collaboration, and support among students, Faculty Mentors, and Peer Mentors.
• Establishing the continuity of learning, development, and support through established co-curricular and social events.
• Cultivating professional identity formation through Learning Community involvement and faculty mentorship.
• Applying a broad range of student resources to reinforce learning, advising, support, wellness, and teamwork.

About

CMS has four Houses which are each named after a notable CMS alumnus. A House consists of medical students from all four classes. Each class within a House makes an individual learning community — totaling 16 learning communities. Students are assigned to a House randomly prior to the first day of orientation, ensuring a well-balanced LC (roughly 50 students per class in each LC). 

Students remain in their assigned House throughout the four-year medical school experience. Under the Leadership of the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, each LC is supported by a Faculty Mentor, CMS Office of Student Affairs (OSA) LC Advisors, and the Learning Communities/Student Programs Coordinator.

The LC House Council consists of elected student leaders in their M1 year for a four-year term. There are 3 student leaders per LC with each member leading an LC Signature Program (MedLEAD Peer Mentorship, LC CARES, LC Wellness). When M1 House Council leadership transition to their M2 year, they become members of the Executive House Council (EHC), with assigned executive functions that support the overall LC program (Student Leadership Liaison, House Cup) and LC events (Field Day, Winter Formal, and Classroom to Clerkship Ceremony) and Signature Programs.

Learning Community Leadership and Contacts