The medical student members of Benjamin Rush Institute (BRI) find themselves in the most unique of positions during the COVID-19 pandemic. With medical schools closed throughout the country, many students are completing their academic years online. Others who are already in clinicals are being called to do telemedicine triage. Others have been asked to graduate early or are in residency in intensive care units and emergency rooms in the most highly impacted areas of this war. BRI is proud to represent these frontline heroes.

BRI adjusted the delivery of its program and events to the virtual online world in order to continue to fulfill its mission. BRI’s first event discussed the recent changes in Step One medical licensing exams to a pass/fail format and the subsequent impact of that change on Step Two. BRI has subsequently held small group discussions with students about licensure reciprocity and the future of telemedicine.

BRI has chosen to treat the pandemic as an opportunity to further its mission to promote the doctor-patient relationship as the primary means of delivering the highest quality healthcare. With their student leaders, BRI is preparing for the post-COVID world, what that means for the education of healthcare, and for unique opportunities afforded. With the continued support of its partners, BRI will continue to create and educate new advocates for the doctor-patient relationship in healthcare.