Meet Dr. Anthony Ardolino...
 Associate
Dean for Medical Student Affairs
Professor of Medicine
My long association with the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, as a student, educator, clinician and administrator, is one of great pride and satisfaction. I
entered UConn directly after graduating from Wesleyan University in 1976, with a strong interest in the scientific aspects of medicine. I considered entering the newly formed M.D./Ph.D. dual
degree program, and spent two summers at UConn during medical school performing basic science research in genetics. While exposed to the scientific aspects of medicine in the lab and classroom,
I was being immersed in the UConn system – emphasis on early and extensive clinical experiences, service and volunteerism – that is as true today was in the 1970’s. The four years of medical
school was a time of profound self-discovery; I found that I received far greater satisfaction from human interactions than scientific inquiry. By the time I graduated in 1980, I had become
committed to a career as a clinician.
I did my residency in internal medicine from 1980 to 1983 at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, staying local because my wife, Sally (UConn School of Medicine class of 1982), was
two
years behind me. Sally also pursued a residency in internal medicine at Saint Francis, and has been in private practice since completing her training in 1985. While my wife completed residency, I took
what I thought would be a temporary teaching position as interim director of the internal medicine residency clinic at Saint Francis. This was my second professional epiphany – I discovered I
valued teaching as much as patient care! From 1983 to 1990, I was a full-time faculty member at Saint Francis; clinically as director of the Community Outreach Program, providing care to adults
with disabilities living in group homes; and academically as Assistant Director for Educational Programs in the Department of Medicine.
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“I view my primary role as one of service – to help students maintain their innate humanity as they progress through medical school.”
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I view myself first and foremost as a teacher. I began teaching clinical medicine to medical students in my first year as an attending, and have subsequently had the privilege
of serving as a preceptor in varied courses. Chief among them have been the Principles of Clinical Medicine course, the Problem-based Learning course, and the health law and ethics seminars.
One of the most rewarding experiences has been in precepting students in the Student Continuity Practice course in my office. It has been a true honor participating in the education of medical
students, and something I have actively retained as my administrative career has moved forward. My academic career has included a number of fulfilling and thrilling roles. I served as Director
of the Clinical Medicine course from 1990 to 1997, and as Medical Director for the Clinical Skills Assessment Program, a comprehensive educational and assessment program using standardized
patients, from 1991 to 2001. As Assistant Dean for Educational Assessment from 2001 to 2004, I had responsibility for formally evaluating the medical school curriculum. A highly rewarding activity
has been as a clinical advisor for medical students, aiding in career planning.
In 2004, I had the high honor of being selected as Associate Dean for Medical Student Affairs. This position is the culmination of my professional aspiration to become an
effective counselor and teacher of medical students. I view my primary role as one of service – to help students maintain their innate humanity as they progress through medical school. To be
successful physician-healers, students must strive for balance in their emotional, physical, social and spiritual lives. My goal is to guide students in keeping their balance and perspective.
This is the gold standard by which I wish to be judged. |
