Innovation and transformation in public health and medicine: Launching a four-year dual MD/MPH program at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM) offers a 4-year integrated MD/MPH dual degree program designed to produce physician leaders with expanded career opportunities in medicine and public health for the 21st century. Since 2011, when UMMSOM enlarged its medical school class by 50 seats, the program has enrolled four MD/MPH cohorts (200 students). The program aims to provide a truly integrated educational experience merging physician competencies with those of a public health professional. Throughout the 4 years, it also emphasizes community-based practicum and capstone experiences that support the creative application of knowledge to solve complex problems facing communities in South Florida and beyond.

The successful launch of the program has relied heavily on true collaboration between UM’s Departments of Medical Education and Public Health Sciences, a commitment to professional experiences that emphasize sustainable partnerships in underserved communities, and a willingness to continually adapt and innovate curriculum based on feedback from students, faculty and emerging trends in public health.

This poster will describe the implementation of the MD/MPH program, share successes in developing curriculum and practice experiences, describe challenges in truly integrating perspectives and approaches from two disciplines, and identify future directions taking into account innovations in pedagogical methods and a changing health care delivery system.