Learning and wellness support for M.D. students

At the University of Nevada, Reno, we prioritize the well-being and success of our M.D. students by providing comprehensive support throughout their medical education. Our programs focus on promoting mental, physical and emotional health, ensuring that students have access to resources for stress management, work-life balance and personal growth.

Student Health Insurance Student Health and Counseling Services

What does the Learning and Wellness Resource Center offer?

The Learning and Wellness Resource Center provides a variety of programs designed to support medical students’ well-being and help them navigate the mental, physical and emotional challenges of medical school. Our services include access to learning specialists, mental health resources, physical health support and much more. At UNR Med, our wellness initiatives focus on developing essential skills and fostering strong social support networks to alleviate stress and enhance mental health for medical students facing the rigors of their training.

Learning specialists

Learning specialists are highly skilled educators dedicated to collaborating with medical students to enhance their learning strategies and overall educational experience. All M.D. students are encouraged to connect with learning specialists to discuss and reflect on ways to optimize their time and resources. Meetings are available year-round, providing support whenever students need it. 

Learning specialists offer: 

• Academic learning plans: Assessing students' learning needs, strengths and weaknesses, and developing plans to support their success 
• Focused exam prep (i.e., Step 1, Step 2 CK or subject examinations) 
• Programs: Designing and coordinating programs that support student retention and academic success 
• Sessions: Planning and providing sessions on topics such as study strategies, time management, test preparation and self-assessment 
• Talks: Developing and delivering talks on topics relevant to learning in medical school, such as utilizing progress exam data and preparing for high-stakes exams 
• Workshops: Developing workshops on topics such as study habits and learning styles 

Please contact our learning specialists, Lisa Kornze or Roxanne Piskel, for more information. 

Wellness resources and programs

Prioritizing wellness is essential for thriving in the demanding field of medicine. At UNR Med, we provide resources to help M.D. students develop wellness practices that manage the intense pressures of medical school, prevent burnout and foster empathy. By focusing on your own physical and mental health, you become a more compassionate and effective caregiver, better equipped to support your peers and enhance patient outcomes. This foundation of self-awareness and balance is crucial for a successful and fulfilling medical career.

Mental health resources:

• Individual counseling
• Psychiatric care
• Group therapy
• Crisis intervention
• Virtual relaxation room
• Workshops and seminars
• Assessment
• Mental health first aid training
• Anonymous mental health screening
• Contact us for referrals to mental health providers

What wellness programs do M.D. students have access to?

The UNR Med learning and wellness team offer programs throughout the year that are rooted in evidenced-based best-practices and are intrinsically designed to combat the isolation often experienced during medical training, a factor strongly linked to mental health challenges.

Programs include:

• Community building wellness events (e.g., therapy dogs, pop-up coffee, pop culture art series)
• Wellness workshops (topics have included: burnout, imposter syndrome, self-care)
• Matriculation transition support (e.g., MedFIT, transition to clerkship/residency, SOAP)

Please contact Elizabeth Wesseling to share ideas for mental health to better support our community's needs.

Online medical student well-being resources

There are additional well-being resources available to students; however, please note that these are external and not affiliated with the University.

• American Medical Student Association (AMSA) - "Medical Student Well-Being"
• American Medical Association (AMA) - "Physician Health"
• American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) - "Navigate Your Journey from Pre-Med Through Residency"