Follow the incoming medical students through their first days on campus.Day 1, July 23

The incoming class has its first day on campus! Day one started with a welcome from Selwyn Vickers, M.D., FACS, senior vice president for medicine and dean of the School of Medicine; a “Sorting Ceremony” during which each student received their Learning Community assignment; and the first lecture of the “Patient, Doctor, and Society” course. To end the day, students received their locker combinations and iPads, and got fitted for their white coats, generously provided by the Medical Alumni Association.

Day 2, July 24

On Tuesday, students were encouraged to wear clothing with the names of their undergraduate schools. The day was filled with sessions about academic success, information about ways to maintain well-being in medical school, and an overview of the curriculum. During lunch, students joined with other students who have similar hobbies to form interest groups led by orientation leaders. Students ended the day by attending an Organization Fair to learn about the different clubs and interest groups available at the School of Medicine.

Day 3, July 25

Day three was spent learning about “Introduction to Clinical Medicine” (ICM). Following a lecture by Stanford Massie Jr., M.D., director of the ICM course, students attended a lunch with Clinical Skills Scholars, faculty who teach the clinical skills curriculum during the first and second years. This was a great time for students to ask the scholars any questions that they might have. Students were also excited to receive their UAB ONE Card student ID cards.

Day 4, July 26

Students who will spend their third and fourth years at the School of Medicine’s Regional Medical Campuses in either Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, or Montgomery visited their campuses and saw what their future homes have to offer, which included some fun activities like bowling. Students who will stay in Birmingham for their third and fourth years participated in one of a variety of service activities: gardening at Jones Valley Teaching Farm and Urban Ministry, playing games with disabled youth and adults at United Ability, assembling hygiene kits for the homeless at Church of the Reconciler, and packing food bags for children with food insecurity at Food Bank of Central Alabama.

Day 5, July 27

Last day of orientation! The students have learned so much and met so many different people this week. On this day, they were introduced to the Office for Diversity and Inclusion. They also learned from the Undergraduate Medical Education staff about setting expectations, and afterward students were fitted for their masks. To finish the week, the Medical Alumni Association treated students to Steel City Pops popsicles.

Story and photographs by Brianna Farley