Total Health Curriculum

The Total Health Curriculum is built on the science of learning and uses an evidence-based approach to train skilled, compassionate physicians who provide individualized care of patients and promote health in the communities they serve. In addition to providing a fully integrated and immersive educational experience in basic, clinical and health systems sciences, the curriculum emphasizes six longitudinal themes, including Social Justice and Health Equity, Health System Citizenship, Primary Care, Personal and Professional Development, Community Immersion and Population Health. These themes are part of the Systems, Society and Humanism in Medicine (SSHM) core curriculum and will transform socially responsible students into socially accountable leaders in the healthcare system and their communities. SSHM fosters the development of compassionate and adaptable physicians dedicated to a person-centered approach to improving the health and wellbeing of the patients and communities they serve.

At Geisinger Commonwealth, we envision our Total Health Curriculum as a tree, like the tree of knowledge that forms our seal. The roots correspond to Phase 1 – Principles of Science and Practice, which encompasses foundational education rooted in basic, clinical and health system sciences. The trunk epitomizes Phase 2 – Core Clinical Immersion With roots firmly planted, you will build a solid body of clinical experiences that begins early and grows in complexity and meaning. The trunk provides firm support for the branches, which represent Phase 3 – Career Differentiation and Exploration. You are now ready to branch off in your own direction. Following your core clinical experiences, you will progress in the development of advanced clinical skills and training that suits your individual interests and career goals.