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Anthony Ardolino
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.
“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. |
