Student Wellness and Learning Climate
The Wellness and Learning Climate team provides student life advising, wellness programming, and learning environment initiatives to help students thrive academically and personally throughout their medical school experience. Our aim is to foster a safe, supportive, and inclusive community where every student belongs.
Our work is guided by a commitment to empowering students to develop their professional identity, enabling them to succeed as lifelong leaders, embracing diversity and personal growth, encouraging self-care and resiliency, and engaging all members of the community in building a genuine sense of belonging.
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Student Life Advising
The Associate Dean for Wellness and Learning Climate is a confidential resource for students navigating personal issues that may affect academic life. She is available to discuss sensitive topics and offer guidance on non-academic matters, including interpersonal conflicts, stress and wellbeing, career direction, and questions about professionalism. She can also provide referrals for medical care, psychological therapy, substance use treatment, tutoring, legal advice, and other support services.
As a general rule, conversations are kept confidential. Unlike discussions with an attorney or psychiatrist, however, communications are not shielded by law. The University may be required to take action in situations involving discrimination, sexual harassment, or personal safety.
Wellness and Mental Health Resources
Stanford offers a robust network of mental health and wellness support for MD students.
- Immediate Crisis Support: Stanford Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is available 24/7 at 650-723-3785.
- Mental Health Team (MHT): Free, accessible mental health care for School of Medicine and BioSciences students. Call CAPS at 650-723-3785 and request an MHT provider.
- Stanford Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences: A wide range of services designed for Stanford students.
- TimelyCare: No-cost virtual medical and mental health care 24/7, including up to 12 scheduled therapy sessions per academic year.
- Mental Health Resources at Stanford: A university-wide directory of mental health support.
- Ears for Peers (E4P): Free, confidential peer listening for the Stanford School of Medicine community.
- Family, Caregiving, and Work-Life Resources: Support including child care and lactation resources.
- Clerkship Site Resources: Information on study spaces, lactation rooms, meditation spaces, and other amenities at clerkship locations.
- Office of Disability Resources: Eligibility determination and support for reasonable accommodations for MD and MSPA students.
- Office of Substance Use Programs Education & Resources (SUPER): Resources for students seeking help for themselves or peers with substance use and addiction.
- Bechtel International Center: Programs, events, and immigration information for international students.
- Office of Religious and Spiritual Life: Community spaces, events, and spiritual care visits available by emailing spiritualcare@stanford.edu.
- ASSU Legal Counseling Office: Free, confidential legal advice for students and their spouses and domestic partners.
- Hospital Security Policy: If law enforcement requests patient information or access to a care area, do not comply and immediately contact Security Services at 650-723-7222 (24/7).
- Healthy Skin Resources: Educational resources and free sunscreen as part of Stanford's Skin Smart Campus initiative.
Programs and Events
The Wellness and Learning Climate team sponsors programs throughout the year to support community, connection, and student wellbeing.
- Stanford Wilderness Education Active Orientation Trip (SWEAT): A three-day pre-matriculation camping trip for incoming medical and MSPA students, facilitated by second-year students. SWEAT builds community, fosters lasting relationships, and helps students develop the confidence to meet the challenges of medical school. Details are included in the admitted student packet sent in June.
- Stanford Medicine Student Cup (SMS Cup): An annual field day bringing students and faculty together in friendly competition, including relay races, field games, and trivia.
- Tuesday Lounging and Conversation (TLC): A peer-led safe space for open conversation, hosted by Ears for Peers and BioPeers counselors five times per quarter in the student lounge. All students are welcome.
- Bike Safety Program: A student-initiated program co-sponsored with Stanford Transportation promoting bike safety culture. Incoming students are invited to take a safety pledge and receive a helmet and safety kit.
- Transition to Clerkship Retreat: An annual retreat at the end of Quarter 6 celebrating the completion of pre-clerkship education and preparing students for life in clerkships, featuring faculty engagement and a keynote speaker.
Wellness Electives
Students are encouraged to explore the following elective courses that support wellbeing, reflection, and personal development throughout medical school.
- ANES 204: Medical Education in the New Millennium: Innovation and Digital Disruption
- ANES 205: Engage and Empower Me: Myths and Truths of Designing for Patient Behavior
- ANES 207: Medical Acupuncture
- BIOS 242: Writing Successful NIH Fellowships and K Awards
- FAMMED 210: The Healer's Art
- FAMMED 213: Medical Tai Chi
- FAMMED 244: Ethnicity and Medicine
- FAMMED 245: Women and Health Care
- FAMMED 252: Medicine & Horsemanship: An Outdoor, Equine Assisted Learning Course
- HRP 198: Unite, Empower, Experience: Understanding the Universality of Women's Health
- MED 130: The Practice of Happiness
- INDE 211: Creative Writing
- INDE 212: Medical Humanities and the Arts
- INDE 215: Queer Health and Medicine
- INDE 217: Physician Scientist Hour
- INDE 225: Popular and Clinical Nutrition: Food Facts, Fads, and Pharmacology
- INDE 228: Career Transition Planning
- INDE 229: Managing Difficult Conversations
- INDE 230: Topics in Scientific Management
- INDE 231B: Career Prep and Practice: Academia
- NBIO 201: Social and Ethical Issues in the Neurosciences
- NBIO 300: Professional Development and Integrity in Neuroscience
- OBGYN 282: Pregnancy, Birth, and Infancy
- ORTHO 120: Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine
- PEDS 106: Pursuit of Happiness and Health
- PEDS 105: Health Promotion and the Campus Culture
- PEDS 116: Alcohol Issues and the Campus Culture
Policies and Protocols
- Universal Precautions and Needlestick Protocol
- Respectful Environment and Mistreatment Policy
- Pregnancy, Childbirth, Adoption, and Lactation
- Disability Insurance: All Stanford MD and MSPA students are automatically enrolled in a group medical disability policy. A mandatory $40 fee is assessed during winter quarter. Students who qualify for long-term disability receive monthly benefits of $1,500 to $2,000 and a student loan payoff provision of up to $225,000. For questions or to file a claim, contact Margaret Govea at govea@stanford.edu or (650) 721-3963. Download the policy, summary, graduating student info, or claim form.
Downloadable Resources
Contact Us
- If the matter is urgent, please call 650-723-6661, identify yourself as a medical student, and the page operator will contact Dr. Honkanen's cell phone.
- Dr. Anita Honkanen
- Associate Dean for Wellness and Student Life Advising
- Margaret Govea, Associate Director of Student Wellness and Learning Climate, govea@stanford.edu