Tulane and Eli Lilly launch program for med students

Students from Tulane University School of Medicine are the first to participate in a new rotation pilot program designed to provide third- and fourth-year medical students a lens into the pharmaceutical industry at the Indianapolis headquarters of Eli Lilly and Co.

Fourth-year medical student Tatyana Fontenot works at Eli Lilly's Indianapolis headquarters in the new Medical Student Rotation Program. Fontenot is one of 10 Tulane medical students who are participating in the pilot program. (Photo from Eli Lilly and Co.)

“Students participating in the program will get hands-on knowledge of the many roles physicians play in the pharmaceutical industry,” said Dr. Marc J. Kahn, senior associate dean for admissions and student affairs at the School of Medicine. “The partnership between Lilly and Tulane matches Lilly's commitment to medical education with Tulane's passion for providing exciting educational experiences for our students.”

Tulane has the country's largest combined MD/MPH program, a successful MD/MBA program and a program in medical innovation, and combined with Lilly's reputation as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, that makes the partnership a natural one, Kahn said.

“We're excited to kick off the Medical Student Rotation Program,” said Yolanda Johnson-Moton, director of external relations for Lilly's U.S. Medical Division. “The students selected for this program distinguished themselves, both academically and during the interview process.”

The program is intensive and exposes the future practitioners to various scientific and medical phases of the drug development process, along with a holistic view of the company.

“Students have a unique vantage point and opportunity to work alongside some of the most talented healthcare professionals in the industry, including physicians, and understand their important roles in our organization,” Johnson-Moton said.

The Medical Student Rotation Program is a four-week experiential learning program with a student-centric curriculum and structured mentorship in various aspects of pharmaceutical development. It includes independent projects, industry-led workshops, exposure to many facets of drug discovery and development, and networking opportunities with Lilly medical leaders.