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Dear, Pitt Med Students:
The Medical Alumni Association (MAA) wishes you every success as you embark on a new year
at Pitt Med!
This document delineates the MAA’s primary student funding policies for the 2014-2015 year.
Although, when unique funding requests are submitted by students, the executive director of the
Medical Alumni Association and the MAA Executive Committee Board will respond on a caseby-case basis.
Pitt Med Students must be vigilant of the fact that the Medical Alumni Association is able to
support student scholarships, student travel, and student activities because of the philanthropy of
Pitt Med Alumni and other donors.
Medical Alumni Association Student Funding Policies
Expectation of Medical Students: School of Medicine Student/Alumni Phone-A-Thon
If individual students or student groups suspect that they will need funding from the Medical
Alumni Association this year, it is highly recommended that they participate in the MAA PhoneA-Thon, which will take place on the following dates:
DATE
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Thursday, November 13, 2014
TIME
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
LOCATION
Forbes Tower, 8th Floor
Forbes Tower, 8th Floor
Forbes Tower, 8th Floor
For those students who volunteer, a catered dinner is offered 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM. At 5:45 PM, an
overview of the calling process takes place. The calling then occurs in two shifts: 6:00 PM – 8:00
PM & 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Callers are invited to help themselves to dinner and other snacks
throughout the night. All participants receive give-away items as a token of appreciation for their
involvement. In addition, the top callers receive great prizes!
The MAA is aware that medical students’ schedules are hectic. As such, if students are only
available for one night of calling or one shift on different nights, that is fine. The MAA simply
wants students to actively participate in the phone-a-thon. Especially for those who seek funding,
it’s only fair that they aid the MAA with obtaining funding to support the medical students who
will succeed them at Pitt Med.
It’s not mandatory that students participate in the phone-a-thon. However, when it comes to
funding, the executive director of the MAA and the MAA Executive Committee Board will give
top preference to students and student groups who have participated in the phone-a-thon.
Preference also will be given to medical students who have volunteered to support the MAA
with its other events and initiatives. For a synopsis of student volunteer opportunities, please
reference page two. For more information about the MAA Phone-A-Thon or to sign up to
volunteer, please contact Andre Burton at aab86@pitt.edu or 412-648-9090.
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“Student Travel & Programs Abroad In Underserved Areas Assistance Application”
Upper class medical students often seek funding awards from the MAA for their research and
clinical electives abroad. For the 2014-2015 school year, the MAA will only issue funding
awards that reimburse students for their airfare. To obtain an application, please email the MAA
at medalum@medschool.pitt.edu. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, February
27, 2015. Decisions will be made as quickly as possible, on a rolling basis. The MAA will notify
students regarding the status of their application requests when the determination has been made.
NOTE: For those students who receive funding awards from the MAA for travel, there are
several caveats to be aware of:
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The MAA will only reimburse students for their airfare up to $2,000.00. The level of
funding that students receive will be determined by their involvement in the phone-a-thon
and other volunteer activities.
A receipt of one’s airfare must be provided to the MAA Office.
The University of Pittsburgh will not process funding awards until the completion of a
student’s flight.
After submission of all the paperwork, it typically takes the University of Pittsburgh three
to four weeks to process funding awards.
Funding for Medical Student Groups
If student groups suspect that they will need funding or other support from the Medical Alumni
Association this year, they should reach out to the MAA by September 30, 2014 so that the
MAA can plan accordingly. Again, preference will be given to groups whose members have
volunteered at the phone-a-thon and other MAA events/initiatives.
Medical Alumni Association Volunteer Opportunities
Medical Alumni Weekend is one of the best opportunities for Pitt Med Students to connect with
alumni at the School of Medicine’s Reunion Weekend. Conversely, alumni have an opportunity
to discover how Pitt Med has evolved and learn about current students—their interests and career
aspirations.
The White Coat Ceremony is widely considered a rite of passage for incoming medical students
as they begin their medical education. One can only imagine the excitement, anxiety, and
anticipation that newly admitted students feel when they arrive on campus in August. Current
medical students can surely relate to this and play a pivotal role in welcoming the incoming class
(and their families) to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Volunteers are needed
for both the White Coat Ceremony and the reception that immediately follows.
In 2013, the Medical Alumni Association started a new tradition by hosting a lectureship and
award dinner for the recipient of the William S. McEllroy Award. This award recognizes a
distinguished residency alumnus. The McEllroy Award recipient provides a lecture during grand
rounds. Following the lecture, a dinner is held in honor of the awardee. Student volunteers are
needed for both the lecture and award dinner. In addition to volunteering, medical students have
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a chance to meet senior administrators and physicians by attending the lecture and make
professional connections throughout the day’s events.
Each school and college is expected to host a table at the Annual University of Pittsburgh
Homecoming Welcome Back Reception, which typically takes place in the Commons Room of
the Cathedral of Learning. Hundreds of university alumni attend the reception. School of
Medicine alumni would love an opportunity to stop by the MAA table and interact with current
Pitt Med Students. Also, the Medical Alumni Association has started a new tradition of hosting a
Homecoming tailgate before the big game. The tailgate is another chance for medical students
to volunteer and have fun!
For more information about MAA volunteer opportunities, please email
medalum@medschool.pitt.edu or call Andre Burton at 412-648-9090.