Officers

The VP&S Club oversees and approves all events planned by registered medical student organizations on campus. In overseeing the clubs, all finances for recognized student clubs are maintained by the director of student activities and VP&S Club, including class funds, school-wide events, and special programs. By providing advising services to students and their organizations, the VP&S Club encourages all students to participate in campus life activities. Club officers work closely with other administrative departments to implement new initiatives or communicate changes in services and/or policies that students need to know.

Director of Student Activities and VP&S Club

The director acts as the advisor to all registered student clubs and organizations in the VP&S Club. He works with students to develop and carry out a variety of campus activities and is responsible for oversight of the Office of Student Activities and Orientation. This includes advising, event planning, and financial management for the entire office and over 65 extracurricular student clubs and class council for more than 650 medical students, as well as students from across other academic schools and programs at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 

Director: Tim Fann, thepsclub@columbia.edu

Faculty Advisory Board

The Faculty Advisory Board is a group of 30-40 medical school faculty members who are invited to serve in a guiding role to the VP&S Club. It is comprised of a chair, vice chair, and several general board members. The board meets three times a year (January, April, and October) to review the events, activities, and finances of the VP&S Club. Members also assist in connecting current students to VP&S alumni who are interested in club events and activities. At the October and January meetings, the board evaluates presentations of new club proposals and makes the final decisions on their status.

To become board members, faculty must be invited by the VP&S Club director and VP&S Club Cabinet. Faculty members are selected to serve on the board due to their interest and valued experience. They have been viewed as truly supportive of the VP&S Club and its endeavors. Board members are encouraged to attend all three annual meetings. They serve for a three-year term and are welcome to do multiple terms, if interested and available.

Chair: Jay H. Lefkowitch, MD, jhl3@columbia.edu (2015-present)

Past Chair: Carmen Ortiz-Neu, MD, co6@columbia.edu (1990-2014)

VP&S Club Cabinet

The VP&S Club Cabinet is comprised of two representatives for each medical class year (eight in total) who are elected by their respective class. The cabinet meets regularly with the VP&S Club director and is responsible for assisting in the planning, budgeting, and managing of all VP&S Club activities, including New Student Orientation, VP&S Club Fair, Leonides Winter Semi-Formal, and Super Night. The cabinet also oversees the preliminary evaluations for new club and specialty interest group proposals.