SOM Handbook

Student Handbook 2026-2027

Updated: 8/9/2026

Long Term Disability Insurance

All medical students are covered for long term disability insurance with the Guardian Blanket Insurance Plan.  This coverage is mandatory.

• Monthly Benefit: $1,500/month (MS1 & MS2) / $2,000/month (MS3 & above)
• Integration: Policy will not integrate with CA State disability, Social Security or Workers Compensation.
• Elimination: 90 Days
• Length of Coverage: To age 65 whether disabled by sickness or accident.
• Pre-existing Conditions: Full coverage after 30 days as a medical student.
• Loan Pay-off provision: $225,000 maximum
• Income Offset: $3,000
• Lump Sum Benefit: $5,000 after 12 months
• Survivor Benefit: 6 months net
• Company: The Guardian Health Professionals Insurance
• Cost: $40.00 per student per year

If you should have any questions, please contact:

• Health Professionals Insurance Services

Ivory Ruiz Opana
6265 Greenwich Drive Suite 250
San Diego, CA 92122
Toll Free (800) 628-2861 Office (858) 404-0782 Fax (858) 546-9023
ivoryr@hpis.biz

Computer Requirements and Hardware/Software Minimum Standards

The School of Medicine requires that all students own a laptop computer. A laptop computer or tablet is useful for taking notes in class, carrying to the library or taking to a remote clerkship location, and students will be required to bring a laptop for many in-class exercises. Computers need to have high enough resolution to support images that are delivered during exams and courses (Anatomy & Histology). Depending on the options students choose below, laptops should have a way (HDMI preferred or buy an adapter that has an output to HDMI) to connect to large displays and projectors at times to show work. Most students will also benefit from adding a mouse to their laptop package.

Additionally, students are required to purchase a printer for use with many required assignments. This is included in the first year student financial aid budget.  Basic color inkjet printers are available for less than $150, and sometimes are bundled with new laptops.

While many students may find a tablet useful, it does not replace the functionality of a laptop.

Recommended Windows Configurations

Recommended Mac Configurations

Recommended Software to Install

The following list highlights most of the standardized supported software usable in the School of Medicine. Many times, new computers come packaged with all the software you will need. However, if you need to purchase software, we'll be able to help you choose one of the packages below.

• Productivity: Microsoft Office 365 is provided by the School of Medicine through the link (https://portal.office.com/) after signing in with your Med School account.
• This link https://somit.ucr.edu/office-365-password-reset will provide instructions and training videos.
• Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge and/or Google Chrome
• PDF: Adobe Acrobat Reader

To help protect your device, data, and information from viruses, malware, and spyware, practice the following:

• Install anti-virus/anti-malware software.
• Keep the operating system up to date.
• Enable host-based firewall.
• Disabled built-in 'Administrator' and 'Guest' accounts.

Best Practice Guidelines for Social Media

The UCR School of Medicine encourages the use of social media to connect to the broader campus community and the general public around the world. The long-term success of any social media community depends on a mutually shared philosophy of respectful behavior. Toward this end we offer the following best practice guidelines in keeping with the standards of the UCR School of Medicine and the medical profession at large.

Be respectful: Refrain from posting material that is profane, hateful, threatening, abusive, harassing, obscene, pornography, nudity, libelous, defamatory or embarrassing to another person or entity. Be respectful of the rights and opinions of others.

Be honest and transparent about who you are: While you may certainly acknowledge that you are a student of the UCR School of Medicine, unless you have been authorized by University Public Relations, you should not portray yourself as a spokesperson or even an unofficial spokesperson. Avoid the use of official School or University logos, insignias, banners, badges, emblems, brands, etc. that may mistakenly give this impression to others or the public. If you are using social media for your profession identity and use, consider a separate venue for your personal and private life.

Respect confidentiality: Refrain from discussing private conversations other than with those directly involved. Never discuss patient care details or post pictures or images that may identify individuals.

Live by the law: Do not post content that violates any state or federal laws, most notably those applicable to patient confidentiality and privacy (i.e. HIPPA). Always obtain written permission to use or reproduce copyrighted material or proprietary information.

The Internet is a public space: Remember that social media sites are public, no matter what privacy settings may be in place. Consider, in most cases, everything you post online will be seen by a public audience. Assume everyone is reading your post, no matter how obscure or secure the site to which you are posting may seem.

Use the “pause-before-posting” approach: Reflect on how the general public may perceive the content about to be posted. While you speak for yourself, the public will often perceive your actions reflecting UCR and the medical profession at large. Have you listened carefully? Is your post adding value to the discussion? Is the post helpful? Have you been courteous, sensitive and respectful?

These guidelines apply to personal use of social media. Social Media is defined as any electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. These include social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter), media-sharing sites (e.g. Flickr, YouTube), blogs, wikis, and podcasts among others. Use of official School of Medicine or UC Riverside social media sites are governed by existing policies by UCR public relations and university Administration. These guidelines are not intended to supersede existing related policies within the University or School of Medicine (e.g. Student Handbook), or pertinent local, state or federal regulations (e.g. the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act - HIPAA).

Safety Tips for Online Social Media & Networking: Self-Reflective Questions

1. Did I set my privacy setting to help control who can look at my profile, information, and photos? While you can limit access somewhat, it is by no means complete. You have no control over what someone else may share about you.
2. How much information about yourself do you want people to know about you? With whom will your “friends” share this information? Not everyone will respect your personal or physical space.
3. Would I post this material on a roadside billboard or a television commercial? What would a stranger think about my post? What about my parents?
4. What image am I projecting about me? My school? My university? And the medical profession at large? Remember that what you post leaves a “digital footprint” that is both public and can last in perpetuity. What might a patient think about my post? What would a future employer or residency program director think after seeing this post?
5. Have I asked permission to post someone else’s image or information? Am I infringing on someone else’s privacy? Could I be hurting someone? Could I be the subject of a judiciary hearing? Could I be the subject of a libel or legal suit?
6. Does my equipment have the proper spyware and virus protection installed? Many social networking sites collect profile information to spam you. Others contain links that can infect your equipment with viruses that potentially can destroy data and infect others with whom you communicate.

References:

• Federation of State Medical Boards: Model guidelines for the appropriate use of social media and social networking in medical practice. 2018. Accessed at on the Federation of State Medical Boards website.
• Farnan JM, Sulmasy LS, Worster BK, et al.: Online medical professionalism: patient and public relationships: policy statement from the American College of Physician and Federation of State Medical Boards. Annals Intern Med 2013;158:620-7.
• American Medical Association. AMA Policy.: Code of Medical Ethics. Accessed at https://www.ama-assn.org/topics/ama-code-medical-ethics on 15 April 2020.

Resources for Medical Students

On-Campus Mental Health Services

The UCR Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers a variety of counseling and specialized professional services both virtually and in-person, to assist students in their career, personal and social development. These services include:

• Individual and group counseling.
• Workshops on suicide awareness, working with distressed students, stress management strategies, gender issues, diversity awareness, and goal setting.
• Psychological assessment.

If additional psychiatric evaluation is warranted, CAPS will refer students to Student Health Services and/or one or more local psychiatrists who normally take Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan (GSHIP) AND are not faculty members appointed in the UCR School of Medicine. The CAPS is in the Health Services Building and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with in person and virtual walk ins between 8:30 and 4:30 pm. For more information, call (951) 827-5531.  Crisis consultations with licensed mental health providers are available 24/7 by calling CAPS main line and selecting Option 1.

For after-hours emergencies (imminent risk of harm to self or others), call 911.

Student Health Services

The UCR Student Health Services offers Psychiatric services in addition to a variety of services including primary care, dental, laboratory, and pharmacy. Student Health Services is located in the Health Services Building and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Appointments may be made by calling (951) 827-3031 or by visiting https://studenthealth.ucr.edu.

UCR Wellness Center “The Well” – programs and training

Off-Campus Counseling

The UC Riverside School of Medicine has contracted with Dr. Ronald Offenstein, M.D. of the Riverside Psychiatric Medical Group to provide outpatient counseling services to medical students. Students may receive a direct referral from the Counseling Center or can self-refer, either to Dr. Offenstein or the psychiatrist of their choice.

Dr. Offenstein has no clinical affiliation with the UCR School of Medicine, creating optimal separation between the mental health services and the medical education program administrative functions.  All counseling meetings are confidential, and the information disclosed during sessions is not disclosed at any time to anyone outside of the Riverside Psychiatric Medical Groups. Students are encouraged to seek counseling with the intent of maintaining good mental health and/or for help in addressing general life issues.

Ronald Offenstein, M.D.
Riverside Psychiatric Medical Group
5887 Brockton Avenue
Riverside, CA  92506
Phone:  (951) 275-8500

Hours:  Monday – Friday: 7:45 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: By appointment

Orbach Science Library

Medical Education and Clinical Outreach Librarian

Elisa Cortez, Orbach Library Room 134
elisa.cortez@ucr.edu
(951) 827-4614
General Reference or Library Resource Questions:
http://library.ucr.edu/research-services/ask-a-librarian

School of Medicine Library Website:
https://library.ucr.edu/research-services/subject-guides/school-of-medicine

UCR Student Health Center

Veitch Student Center (west of Lot 15)
www.studenthealth.ucr.edu
Monday-Friday: 8: am – 4:30 pm, except Thursday: 9 am -4:30 p.m
Appointments (951) 827-3031 or online www.studenthealth.ucr.edu

After Hour Care (if you have GSHIP insurance)

Urgent Care
Riverside Medical Clinic         
6405 Day Street
Riverside, CA 92507
(951) 782-5454
www.riversidemedicalclinic.com

Emergency Care
Riverside Community Hospital
4445 Magnolia Avenue
Riverside, CA  92501
(951) 788-3000
www.rchc.org

Riverside Community Crisis Intervention
24 Hours Crisis Hotline:  (951) 686-4357
Off-Campus Emergency:  911