VII. Organizational Structure and Selected Resources

I.  General Information

Message to Students from the Dean

Welcome to EVMS. Over the past few decades, the medical and health professions have seen advances in medical research that continue to improve our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.  Research in human genetics has created new frontiers in gene therapy; new surgical techniques have reduced risks and recovery times; improved diagnostic tests have led to early and more effective treatment; and greater awareness of the impact of lifestyle choices on health has made patients essential partners in their own health care.

These changes have created new expectations and put new demands on medical and health professionals and the health care system – challenges that EVMS is firmly positioned to meet.

EVMS is the cornerstone of the region’s health care system and, through its many partnerships, offers students and residents a wide variety of academic and practice experiences.  While providing outstanding training and experience for students entering the full range of medical specialties, EVMS also is committed to help meet the nation’s need for more primary care physicians and other health professionals.

Since its inception in 1973, EVMS has earned a reputation for its focus on the broader health issues of the surrounding communities and on the side of medicine that has not changed since the days of Hippocrates – the human side. While responding to change, EVMS remains true to its original mission to train physicians and other health professionals who are compassionate as well as competent.

This Catalog and the EVMS Student Handbook provide an overview of institutional policies and procedures that apply to students during their enrollment at EVMS. These policies and procedures are occasionally supplemented by other program specific policies and procedures.

Gerald J. Pepe, Ph.D.
Dean, EVMS

EVMS Mission Statement and Goals

Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) is an academic health center dedicated to achieving excellence and fostering the highest ethical standards in medical and health professions education, research, and patient care. Our vision is to improve the health of our communities and to be recognized as a national center of intellectual and clinical strength in medicine. Realizing this vision and fulfilling our mission requires the successful pursuit of four goals:

1. We will educate medical and health professions students who will be noted for their excellence in practice, human values, collegiality, and scientific curiosity and rigor.

2. We will enhance and strengthen our interdisciplinary research enterprise.

3. We will provide the highest quality, most effective health services by integrating the academic benefits of education and research into patient care.

4. We will strengthen and develop strategic partnerships to improve the health of our communities through education, research, and patient care.

EVMS Accreditations

Eastern Virginia Medical School is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Doctor of Medicine degree, master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and certificates. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Student Registration

Matriculating students will be advised by mail of registration procedures, payment of fees, and other pertinent information in advance of the school year. Registration for the medical school year takes place in August. Registration dates for the Health Professions Programs are available from each program.

Expenses

Tuition and fees are set by the Board of Visitors, which reserves the right to revise tuition and fees at any time for students currently enrolled as well as for new students. An acceptance deposit, which varies across programs, will be credited against tuition charges and is required on acceptance to a program. Tuition and fee payment schedules and student budgets for all programs are available from the Office of Financial Aid.

General Criteria for Admission

Admissions Criteria and Application Procedures for individual programs, including MD and Health Professions, are found in Section III of the EVMS Catalog.

Student Health

Student Health policies, including Health Insurance Requirements, are found in the "Student Health and Well Being" section of the EVMS Student Handbook.

Housing

The Office of Student Affairs maintains a bulletin board of off-campus listings, as well as contact information for the Hague Club Apartments, which offers 86 one and two bedroom apartments to EVMS students. Details are found in the "Student Services" Section of the EVMS Student Handbook.

Honor Code

The Student Body of EVMS conducts its affairs by means of an honor system. This is done in the belief that responsible professional behavior in the Health Professions is developed and nurtured in a maturing process of student self-government. In the spirit of human values in medicine philosophy, and implicit in such an honor system, is the fostering of a sense of trust in the EVMS community. Each student subscribes to the honor system by signifying in writing his/her support at the time of matriculation. On entering EVMS, each student shall sign and abide by the Honor Code and rules of enforcement. Students are provided with a copy of the Honor Code prior to matriculation. Additional copies are available from the Office of Student Affairs. The complete Honor Code and related policies and procedures are included in the EVMS Student Handbook.

Student Government and Activities

Students annually elect representatives to the EVMS Pan Student Council (PSC). The PSC meets monthly with the Dean/Provost and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of clubs and professional organizations, as well as to serve on most EVMS committees.  Additional details are available in the EVMS Student Handbook. 

Student Services

The Office of Student Affairs exists for the purpose of enhancing the quality of student life by creating an environment that will support student academic, physical, emotional, and social development, while challenging them to develop their abilities to the fullest. Committed to this idea, the office complements the instructional program by providing services that help students to enter and enjoy, excel and exit from the Eastern Virginia Medical School. Students are offered opportunities to develop their basic academic skills, to expand their interpersonal leadership and career related skills, and to obtain support services designed to help them cope with educational, personal, health, and social problems.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

EVMS expects its students to assume the responsibility for their own behavior, to follow the standards of conduct of academic communities, to conduct themselves in the highest traditions of health professionals who are engaged in the pursuit and application of knowledge and to abide by the laws of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the rules and regulations of EVMS. Special emphasis is placed on honesty and integrity in testing, research, and patient care, and on the appropriate acknowledgement of contributions of others to one’s own work. Any student who violates the following general standards of conduct may be subject to administrative and/or disciplinary action as hereinafter provided. The EVMS Student Handbook contains detailed policies dealing with sexual harassment, diversity, disabilities and other related issues.

Sexual Harassment Policies and Procedures

Sexual harassment subverts the mission of the institution and threatens the academic performance, learning environment, educational experience, careers, and well-being of students, faculty, and staff. Harassment in any form is considered reprehensible and will not be tolerated. EVMS policies and procedures provide for a prompt and equitable resolution of sexual harassment complaints. Sexual harassment policies and procedures are described in the EVMS Student Handbook.

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