An image of a Prism mentor and OUWB student

  

PROMOTING REFLECTION and INDIVIDUAL growth through SUPPORT and MENTORING (PRISM)

At the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, we recognize that the path to becoming a physician is enhanced through guidance and mentoring. PRISM provides a multi-layered system of support, along with a four-year curriculum that focuses on personal growth, wellness, and career development. Monthly sessions create opportunities for reflections and small group discussion.

PRISM mentor inquiries can be directed to Karen Smith at ksmith5@oakland.edu.
About PRISM
PRISM Components

Reflection
Each month students are given prompts for a reflective essay.

Readings
Students choose an article to read or a video to watch, each month.

Faculty Mentoring groups
Students meet in mentoring groups for one hour each month and meet individually with their mentor during the academic year.

Career Development
Guidance on career choice begins in the M1 year and progresses through the M2 year. The M3 year curriculum focuses on preparing students for the residency application process from preparing curriculum vitae to navigating the match program

PRISM Topics
  • Developing a personal plan for wellness
  • Self-awareness
  • Reflections and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
  • Making the Most of the M2 Year
  • Planning the M3 and M4 years
  • Guided imagery
  • Happiness & Giving Back
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Being Mortal
  • Empathy and Compassion
  • Financial Wellness
  • Imposter Syndrome
  • Choosing a Specialty
  • Budgeting
  • Residency interviewing
  • Learning in the clinical setting
  • Making the most of your relationships
  • Preparing for the Residency Application Process
  • Careers in Medicine
Mentor Details

PRISM Goal

  • Guide personal development through self-awareness, role modeling, and support
  • Provide a safe environment to foster personal reflection
  • Promote self-care and wellness
  • Encourage team building and problem solving strategies
  • Assist in career development

PRISM Components

  • Reflection
  • Readings
  • Interactive Lectures
  • Faculty Mentoring Groups
  • OUWB Connect
  • Career Development

Mentor Requirements/Benefits

  • Corewell Health Physician
  • OUWB Faculty
  • Able to attend monthly sessions on Tuesday afternoons (M1 & M2 year) and Friday afternoons (M3 year)

Faculty Mentor Time Commitment

  • Monthly PRISM sessions (3 hours each)
  • Respond to student reflections
  • Group activity 
  • Yearly one-on-one meetings with mentees
  • Two-hour summer training session
  • PRISM Orientation, the White Coat Ceremony (M1 year)
  • Match Day, Honors Convocation and Commencement (M4 year)

To view lists of previous PRISM mentors, please contact ksmith5@oakland.edu.

Meet the Team
Varsha Karamchandani, M.D.
Assistant Professor
PRISM Co-Course Director

Berkley J. Browne, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
PRISM Co-Course Director

Karen Smith
PRISM Course Coordinator

Mentor Groups

Class of 2027
The following physicians are mentors for the Class of 2027:

Melissa Bayci, M.D.
Obstetrics/Gynecology

Robert Burke, M.D.
Internal Medicine/Pulmonary & Critical Care

Leonardo Cavinatto, M.D.
Orthopaedic Surgery

Barbara Herzig, M.D.
Psychiatry

Shabana Kalladi Puthanpurayil, M.D.
Pediatrics

Leia Meyers, M.D.
Family Medicine & Community Health

Joann Smith, M.D.
Obstetrics/Gynecology

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Class of 2026
The following physicians are mentors for the Class of 2026:

Carmen DeMarco, M.D.
Infectious Disease

Matthew Denenberg, M.D.
Emergency Medicine

Abdulrahman Effendi, M.D.
Nephrology

Anuradha Prasad, M.D.
Ophthalmology

Yujin Oh, M.D.
Family Medicine

Sindhu Ramesh, M.D.
Internal Medicine

Bassel Salman, M.D.
Pediatrics 

Class of 2025
The following physicians are mentors for the Class of 2025:

Pavan Brahmamdam, M.D.
Surgery

Jay Eastman, M.D.
Pediatrics

Mona Fakih, D.O.
Obstetrics/Gynecology

Brian Felice, M.D.
Emergency Medicine

Warren Fields, M.D.
Internal Medicine/Pulmonary & Critical Care

Betina Hinckel, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgery

Shikha Kalra, D.O.
Family Medicine & Community Health

Class of 2024
The following physicians are mentors for the Class of 2024:

Perry Friedman, M.D.
Obstetrics/Gynecology

Stephanie Goike, M.D.
Emergency Medicine

Varsha Karamchandani, M.D.
Psychiatry

Matthew Kopera, M.D.
Orthopaedic Surgery

Liem Ngo, M.D.
Emergency Medicine

Mark Sinkoff, M.D.
Internal Medicine

Joann Smith, M.D.
Obstetrics/Gynecology

John Tu, M.D.
Internal Medicine

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