In academic medicine, the conversation often revolves around the pillars of education, research, and patient care. However, equally important, yet harder to quantify, is the cultural environment we create for students, colleagues, and each other. The Office of Academic Culture and Community (OACC) at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine is dedicated to fostering this essential culture.
The OACC serves as a community-building branch of the medical school, focusing on supporting every student and faculty member so that they feel connected and capable of achieving success. The office does not aim to regulate or point out flaws but instead seeks to build and strengthen a nurturing environment.
Central to the OACC’s mission are two main fellowship tracks designed for second-, third-, and fourth-year medical students: Mentorship and Research & Advocacy. These fellowships provide students with opportunities to lead, support their peers, and contribute meaningfully to the school. By planning workshops, serving on committees, and facilitating communication between students and school leadership, these fellows help ensure that student voices are integral to decision-making processes.
To enhance collaboration, the OACC partners with various student groups to organize events that foster community. These initiatives range from community outreach to celebrations of significant events like Women’s History Month, helping students to create projects that reflect the institution’s values. While these student-led initiatives are autonomously run, the OACC ensures they are adequately resourced and compliant with institutional guidelines to facilitate success.
The OACC recognizes that real culture change is a collective effort, which is why it collaborates with other offices within the school, including student affairs, curriculum design, Graduate Medical Education, admissions, and faculty affairs. No single office or person can catalyze the transformation necessary for true cultural development. It is this foundational belief in connection that drives the OACC’s work.
Beyond organizing events and projects, the OACC is committed to shaping the overall experience of medical education at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. They focus on promoting well-being, addressing burnout, encouraging mentorship, and actively listening to the needs of all academic community members.
The environment cultivated by the OACC strives to be one where no individual feels like an outsider. Here, students and trainees can cultivate real relationships, find mentors who inspire them, and form friendships that extend well beyond their academic tenure. The aim is to create a space where medical school is not perceived merely as an institution but as a true home.
As expressed by the office, the intention is not to “fix” students or staff. Instead, the OACC aspires to accompany them on their journeys and assist them in flourishing within a valued and understood community.
In a recent address, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy shared his “last prescription” before concluding his term: a call to choose community over division. He emphasized the importance of a shared path marked by joy, health, and fulfillment, advocating for connections that foster well-being. This vision of choosing community resonates with the OACC’s core mission as they strive to deepen connections within the medical school ecosystem.
Guided by a simple goal, the OACC seeks to cultivate a culture in which everyone in the academic community values their place, aspires to contribute, and experiences personal growth. This ethos extends to students, faculty, and staff alike, underscoring that everyone can feel they belong and have access to support.
By prioritizing community and culture, the OACC not only enhances the quality of medical education but also helps to prepare future physicians comprehending the significance of partnership, empathy, and respect. Ultimately, this broader understanding makes the entire community better equipped to serve others.
image source from：https://attheu.utah.edu/uncategorized/stronger-community-stronger-students-stronger-school/
