Ceremonies & Events

The Steven Z. Miller Student Clinician’s Ceremony

To mark the transition for students from classroom teaching and the preclinical curriculum to clinical education in the hospital and ambulatory settings, a new “rite of passage” has been developed. The Steven Z. Miller Student Clinician’s Ceremony has three primary elements-recognition of outstanding teaching,by residents, teambuilding for the new clinical students and the presentation of a class video, and a charge from a faculty member selected by the class as an outstanding role model. Planning for this event also fosters teamwork among members of the second and third year classes, faculty and residents.

The goals of the third year clinical transition include finding ways to alleviate apprehension as students meet their first patients, enhance preparation for their hospital training, nurture relationships among second and third year students and mentors, and provide additional opportunities for communication and re-taking the Hippocratic Oath.

We lost Dr. Steven Z. Miller, faculty advisor for this event, pediatrician, colleague and friend, in a tragic small plane crash in Kirksville, Missouri in October 2004. The official name of the ceremony has been changed to reflect Dr. Miller’s memory and is now be known as the Steven Z. Miller Student Clinician’s Ceremony.