The academic advisement system began in 2001. Every medical student is assigned to one of seven advisory teams that includes 12 students, an Advisory Dean, a clinician and a senior medical student.
During their first and second year the students are required to meet once each month in a small group session over lunch. Topical issues are discussed: the stresses of the first two years, preparing for residency, studying for Step 1, and the like. Students are also encouraged to meet privately with their Advisory Dean as needed. The guidance is confidential, and the advisor does not take part in academic decisions about the student.
The Advisory groups continue to meet in small group sessions during the clinical years so that the information concerning career planning can be shared and discussed. The Advisory Deans play a major role in helping students prepare for their residency and to enter the profession of medicine.
The intent of the system is to make sure that no student "drops through the cracks". It assures that each student has an advisor whom they have actually met, someone who will track the student's progress and serve as a mentor though the four years of medical school. Students are also welcome to take on any additional faculty member as a personal mentor.
Advisory Deans
David Beach, PhD
Microbiology and Immunology
2235A Weiskotten Hall beachd@upstate.edu
315 464-7656
Margaret Maimone, PhD
Cell and Developmental Biology
305 Weiskotten Hall maimonem@upstate.edu
315 464-8526
George Blakeslee, MSW
Psychiatry
713 Harrison St. Room 302 blakeslg@upstate.edu
315 464-3205
N. Barry Berg, PhD
Cell and Developmental Biology
144 Weiskotten Hall bergn@upstate.edu
315 464-4349
James L. Greenwald, MD
Family Medicine
Madison Irving Medical Center, Suite 200 greenwaj@upstate.edu
315 464-6992
Steven Grassl, PhD
Pharmacology
3305 Weiskotten Hall grassls@upstate.edu
315 464-7951
Richard M. Cantor, MD FAAP/FACEP
Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics
Suite 201, 250 Harrison Street cantorr@upstate.edu
315 464-4363
Susan Stearns, PhD
Cell and Developmental Biology
1112 Weiskotten Hall stearnss@upstate.edu
315 464-8577
Robert Zajdel, Ph.D
Cell and Developmental Biology
143 Weiskotten Hall zajdelr@upstate.edu
315 464-5800
William H. Marx, DO, FACS Professor of Surgery and Critical Care Chief of Staff Syracuse VAMC william.marx@va.gov 315 425-4888
