Robert Hernandez, M.D.,
Provides Critical Support for Students
 

he four years of medical school can be among the most challenging in a person’s life, and that’s why the Office of Student Affairs—headed by Robert Hernandez, M.D., associate dean for student affairs—plays such a pivotal role in medical education. Hernandez, an internist, says he always wanted to be a teacher and that desire was reinforced when he was chief resident at Tulane University and had students following him on rounds. Now the well-being of about 600 students is one of his main responsibilities.

“We handle basically anything that affects the medical students, from their performance in the classroom to their own personal health needs,” explains Hernandez. “I am always there to lend a helping hand or, if need be, play the role of the enforcer.”

Hernandez says the biggest challenge is to help students understand that stress is a natural part of the profession and to help them find a way to integrate effective coping mechanisms. “For first- and second-year students, the stresses are different; they are more worried about grades and tests,” Hernandez says. “The third- and fourth-year students are more concerned about their clinical work, getting residencies and jobs, so you need to approach each student differently.”

A New York native, Hernandez came to UM in 1994 from Tulane. He started out with a busy patient practice at UMHC, but found himself moving to the education side when he agreed to take over the generalist primary care clerkship. From there he became assistant dean for curriculum and then on to his current position. Hernandez says he sees himself as an advocate not only for the students, but for the University and the profession as well.

“When our students graduate, we want them to be proud of their accomplishment, to make us proud, and to make the practice of medicine even better than it already is,” Hernandez says. “That’s why it is so important to help each and every student along the way, to not let a problem get out of hand, and give them the support they need to succeed.”