4th Year Women's Health Pathway
Drexel University College of Medicine
Faculty Contacts: Ana E. Núñez, M.D. and Kim Kahng, M.D.
About the Women's Health Pathway
Established in 1999 as part of the Fourth Year Medical Student Pathway Program at Drexel University College of Medicine, it was developed to enhance student mentorship by faculty and to promote senior advanced learning in a specific discipline or area. Pathways exist in all of the major medical disciplines (i.e., medicine, surgery, etc).
The Women's Health Pathway is divided into acquiring advanced knowledge in both clinical and academic areas of women's health. Students complete required and elective courses in women's health in clinical, basic science, psycho-social and research areas in addition to the internal medicine and neurology courses which are required for graduation. The required course builds further upon students' ambulatory care, primary care or internal medicine skills and offers a multi-disciplinary approach to health care concerns of the female patient, beyond their reproductive functions.
The Women's Health Pathway provides students with advanced learning using the resources and expertise at the College of Medicine. The pathway builds upon the existing women's health curriculum offered through the first and second year core, both the problem-based Program for Integrated Learning (PIL) and the lecture-based Interdisciplinary Foundations of Medicine (IFM). The pathway ensures continuity of relevant clinical education for students interested in women's health.
Curriculum is tailored to the individual by preparing them to achieve the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for providing competent women's health care, as well as addressing career related issues. Students enrolled in the pathway gain relevant learning experiences during the clinical years of medical education.
The Women's Health Pathway meets all objectives of the Drexel University Pathway program. The pathway's requirements include experiences that advance clinical, research and academic knowledge in women's health. Students have required and recommended courses in a broad range of topics. These include clinical and basic sciences, community outreach and psycho-social issues in care and numerous research areas. The required courses refine the student's primary care skills by providing an intensive experience in a women's health center. Students join the multi-disciplinary team of physicians, mid-level practitioners and health educators to deliver high quality, culturally appropriate care for the female patient. Students interact with excellent clinicians and role models as they increase their understanding that women's health extends beyond reproductive issues.
Pathway Specialties
Unlike other pathways, the WH pathway is not specialty limited. In fact, all disciplines are welcome into the pathway. Approximately 41 students have completed the Women's Health Pathway and entered the fields of: neurology, anesthesia, radiology, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, ob/gyn and family medicine.
For more information click on the following links:
• Women's Health Pathway Requirements
• Women's Health Pathway Brochure
• Women's Health Pathway Presentation |