The Office for Student Affairs is responsible for providing the services and resources to assist the total development of medical students—intellectual, social, cultural, physical, emotional and ethical.

The office oversees the progress of students throughout their medical school years, informed by policies of both the university and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). It acts as the liaison among the students, the administration and the faculty.

Student Affairs acts as the official Registrar for the Keck School. The registrar keeps academic records and transcripts in accordance to university, AAMC, and federal guidelines and verifies medical school education information for licensing. The office handles business matters such as loan deferments, insurance discounts and letters confirming academic or student status.

Office staff members provide counseling for students with personal or academic problems, and arrange peer tutoring for students experiencing academic difficulty.

Each year, Student Affairs plans the orientation week for new students, the combined White Coat and Faculty Teaching Awards Ceremony, the third-year transfer reception, Dean's Awards Ceremonies, the residency match breakfast and the Keck School commencement. The office founded and continues to lead the HSC Student Affairs Council.

Office Hours:

Monday through Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed weekends and holidays including Christmas week.

Student Affairs Staff

The Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Donna D. Elliott, M.D., Ed.D., oversees all functions and activities of the Student Affairs office and is available to meet with and advise students.

Dr. Elliott keeps open office hours for student drop-in appointments on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Thrusday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

To set up an appointment with Dr. Elliott at another time, contact Mandy Garcia, Keith Administration Building, Room 100-B, (323) 442-2553.

The Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Student Affairs, Basic Science Education, Joel Schechter, Ph.D., is available to advise and assist students in any way needed regarding personal or academic problems. Contact Dr. Schechter at (323) 442-1862, through Student Affairs or at his office: Room 306 of the Bishop Building. Students may also leave a message on his door (leave name, MDL number or home phone number).

Effective on July 1, 2007, the Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Student Affairs, Clinical Education, Dr. Pamela Schaff, is available to advise and assist students with regard to personal or academic problems. Dr. Schaff's office will be in KAM 100B, and she can be reached at (323) 442-2553.

Student Affairs staff members include:

• Monique Abeyta, Student Services Advisor
• Cindy Crump, Assistant Registrar
• Yvonne Galindo, Budget/Business Analyst
• Mandy Garcia, Project Specialist
• Julie Kim, Pathways Advisor
• Amy Lloyd, Visiting Clerkship Coordinator
• Alicia Rugley, Scholarship Coordinator
• Estella Turla, Clerkship Coordinator
• Janene White, Director of Admissions and Student Affairs and Registrar for the Keck School of Medicine