1st Yr Orientation

Welcome to Class of 2022

Our Class of 2022 orientation will be here before you know it! We hope the following information will be helpful to you and alleviate some of your apprehension as to the where, when, and what is expected of you those first few days.

Everyone in the College of Medicine and the Office of Student Affairs (your home away from home) is planning and eagerly looking forward to your arrival. Please feel free to turn to this office for assistance and assurance. Aid and comfort are available whenever needed!

We have compiled on this site information that all incoming medical students should know, and a list of requirements. It is important that you read all items carefully and ensure that you provide all documentation by the posted deadlines. Missing forms, fees or information could hold up your registration and matriculation!  All required forms are available for you to print, complete and return by mail or in person. We are unable to accept forms via email.

Because Orientation activities will take up the greatest majority of your time, we strongly urge you to plan to arrive in Gainesville in time to settle in before all the excitement of medical school begins. We hope you are having a wonderful and restful summer!

Orientation will begin on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 through Friday, August 3, 2018, with registration beginning at 8:00a.m. in the George T. Harrell, M.D.  Medical Education Building. Gentlemen should wear a coat and tie and women should wear comparable “business attire”; as we have scheduled a formal photograph to be taken.  Please see Orientation Program Class of 2022.

Please use the Orientation CHECKLIST 2022 to ensure that all all forms are turned in, all fees are paid, and deadlines are met. Please print it out for your use.  Please check periodically for updates.

Orientation forms

  •  Is it extremely important that you keep the Student Affairs Office informed of any address and/or Email change you might have between now and Orientation. We may send you important forms and questionnaires and we want to make sure you receive everything you need. If you change your address and/or Email please let our office know.

COM Immunization Form  – If you have any questions regarding immunizations, please contact Julian Gilder (jgilder@ufl.edu) or 352-273-7978.  It is important that you identify yourself as a medical student.  Medical students have stricter requirements than some other UF students.  The immunization requirements for matriculation to the College of Medicine are as follows:

Prior to the start of medical school, you must provide documentation of:

  • MMR – Required for everyone born after December 31, 1956. Two doses are required for entry into the University of Florida. One must have been received at 12 months of age or later and in 1971 or later. The second dose must have been received at least 30 days after the first dose and in 1990 or later.
    OR: Provide lab evidence of immunity by doing a blood test to check for antibodies for Measles, Mumps and Rubella. If you do the blood test, you need to provide the results on a laboratory form that should be faxed or mailed with the completed Immunization Health History Form. ** All lab evidence of immunity testing must be accompanied by a lab report**
  • Hepatitis B Vaccine (HBV) – You are required to receive the Hepatitis B Vaccine (HBV) series. Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection of the liver that can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and even death. This disease is completely preventable. Hepatitis B vaccine is available to all age groups to prevent Hepatitis B viral infection. Missed doses may still be sought to complete the series if only one or two have been acquired. If you completed the vaccination series within the past two months, you must also provide serologic proof of immunity, i.e., a positive serum titer for Hepatitis B surface antibody – quantitative. ** All lab evidence of immunity testing must be accompanied by a lab report**
  • Tdap (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis) Available since June 2005.
    Note: Either Adacel or Boostrix Tdap vaccine is required for the College of Medicine Students.
  • Varicella/chickenpox – Provide proof of two doses of Varivax vaccine. OR: lab evidence of immunity to varicella/chickenpox. ** All Titers must include a lab report** (Note: History of disease is not acceptable)
  • Flu Shot: Flu Shots are required of ALL University of Florida College of Medicine Students. UF COM Students are required to get a flu shot every year. Although students are not required to have a flu shot before the August start date, all students must have a flu shot when the new Flu shot is made available in early fall of each corresponding school year. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in delayed graduation due to the inability to participate in certain clinical activities.
  • MCV4 (Menactra/Menveo) (bacterial meningitis vaccine) – The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) currently recommends this vaccine for freshmen planning to live in campus dormitories/residence halls. Students wishing to decline this vaccine must read the “Waiver Statement” below, then check and sign where indicated on the form. Signing the waiver indicates you understand the possible risk in not receiving this vaccine.
    Waiver Statement: Meningococcal Meningitis – College students, especially freshmen living in residence halls, are at a slightly increased risk for contracting meningococcal disease. The bacterial form of this disease can lead to serious complications such as swelling of the brain, coma and even death within a short period of time. Two vaccines are currently available that decrease, but do not completely eliminate a person’s risk of acquiring meningococcal meningitis. This element of uncertainty remains because there are many different serotypes and the current vaccines do not offer any protections from serotype B. For more specific information about meningococcal meningitis and college students’ risks, visit the “Immunizations” section of the UF Student Health Care Center’s website at www.shcc.ufl.edu.
  • Tuberculosis Screening either by Two-Step Tuberculosis Skin Test – TST by Mantoux, current within 12 months of the COM admission date or Interferon-based Assay (IGRA) Lab Test (QFT or T spot).
    TB Skin Test by TST must be read between 48-72 hours of administration.
    The second TB Skin Test by TST must be applied at least 7 days after the first TST is placed. The result must be recorded in “mm’s” in the space provided.
    If you do the blood test, the Interferon-based assay (IGRA) lab test, either the QFT or T-spot, then attach a copy of the lab report.
    If you have a positive TB Skin Test by TST or positive Interferon-based assay (IGRA) lab test, you must provide documentation of both the positive test and a negative chest X-ray within three months of the start of school.
    If both the TST and MMR or Varivax are given, they must be given on the same day for the TST to be accurate or given 30 days apart.
PLEASE NOTE:  You MUST submit proof of immunizations using the “Immunization Health History form”.  Records not submitted on the Immunization Health History form will not be accepted.  Submit documentation of these immunizations to:  Ms. Julian Gilder, College of Medicine Registrar, P.O. Box 100216, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, 32610    Fax (352) 273-7536  AND  UF Health Compliance Office,  Immunizations, PO Box 117500, Gainesville FL  32611-7500 Fax (352) 392-0938.  You will not be able to start classes until all documentation is received, so please do not delay in confirming these immunizations.
  •  Health Agreement  – This form is signed only once. It contains a list of agreements that all medical students adhere to in order to be in good standing with the College of Medicine.
  • Health Insurance Information Contact UF Student Health Care Center Patient Financial Services & Insurance Office (352) 273-4546
  • Health Insurance Verification Form  – This must be completed each year. (Submit once coverage is in place.  Please attach a copy of your insurance card to the completed form.)
  • Disability Insurance  – The College of Medicine requires medical students to carry Disability Insurance. We are able to obtain this insurance at a nominal cost to you.We are pleased to announce a Global Emergency Services program is now available to AMA-sponsored Med Plus Advantage participants at no additional cost. Please view the program brochure detailing the services provided, along with a PDF containing a cut-out card the students/residents should keep in their wallet at all times in case of an emergency. We are excited about this new offering as it provides an array of services when they are traveling 100 miles or more from their home/school residence. Services such as medical repatriation, emergency medical evacuation, and medical consultation and referral are just a few of the services provided through Assist America’s program. Should an emergency occur while traveling, the students/residents simply call the number shown on the card and Assist America will make the necessary arrangements.
  • Fee for Identification Badge – All faculty, staff and students at the University of Florida are required to have university picture ID badges. These badges are necessary for everything – checking out books at the library, using the recreation facilities, tickets to sporting events, etc. Students in the University of Florida Health Science Center are required to wear their photo identification badge at all times within the Health Center.   ID Badges can be purchased anytime after June 1, 2018 – They must be purchased before orientation begins on August 1, 2018.  You must present a photo ID and know the last four digits of your social security number.
  • Go to one of the Photo ID Centers listed below.

UF Bookstore & Welcome Center                              Health Science Photo Center @ Shands

  Museum Road                                                                    1600 SW Archer Road

  Room: G071                                                                        Room – NG10

        Hours of Operation                                                            Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday  8:00 am – 6:00 pm                               Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

Saturday – 11am – 4:00 pm                                               9:00 am – Noon & 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm

     Phone:  (352) 392-8343                                                           Phone: (352) 273-5044

Cost:  $16.25 ($15.00 badge and $1.25 holder)   –   Payment options: Check, Cash or Credit Card     (Checks made payable University of Florida)

  • Getting To Know You  – In order to help you become well acquainted with your classmates, the Student Affairs office will compile a class directory, “Getting To Know You“, with pictures and miscellaneous information about each student. Please complete the Getting To Know You form and Email, with photo (bmp), to Ritaford@ufl.edu. Please return by June 1, 2018 in order to have your information included. The directory will be part of your orientation packet. Many faculty and staff request a copy of the “Getting To Know You” directory so that they may become acquainted with the new students as well.

Information

  • UF COM Policies – The Policies and Procedures are located on the Student Affairs Website. Please familiarize yourself with these Policies and Procedures Handbook
  • One UF – This is the link to your file. You will have access to your grades, your schedule as well as being able to change your address and pay your fees.
  • Book List
  • Tuition – You will be notified as soon as we know the exact amount of tuition and fees for 2018-2019. As a medical student you will pay your yearly tuition in two equal installments: one half in the fall and the other half in the spring. If you have applied for financial aid, and the amount of tuition changes, your budget will be adjusted accordingly. Please check this website for the latest information: http://www.med.ufl.edu/oea/finaid/budget.shtml
    • Fee Payment – For fee payment information:
      Visit One UF, select “Financial Services” then “Make a Payment” or tuition statement.
    • Fee Deferments – To check on a deferment:
      Visit One UF, select “Financial Services” then “Student Center”.
  • Please Note: The University of Florida does not send bills for tuition/fees. It is the responsibility of each student to assess fees correctly and pay on time. The Office of Student Affairs will keep you posted on due dates.
  • Campus Parking Decals – For your convenience, parking decals for the 2018-2019 decal year must be ordered online.

Other forms

Where do I go for…?

College of Medicine Websites