Missions FAQs
What does it mean to study or work at a Jesuit medical school? Explore how Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s training aligns with its commitment to Ignatian spirituality and values.
Putting Jesuit Values into (Medical) Practice
A Jesuit education shapes students into well-rounded people who contribute to the greater good. Founded by St. Ignatius Loyola, this nearly 500-year-old academic tradition is known for values such as:
- Pursuing excellence in all things
- Being men and women for and with others
- Serving the most vulnerable among us
How does that extend to a medical school classroom? Read on for answers to common questions about our Ignatian Mission in Medicine.
Medicine has the power to change lives for the better. Grounded in the Jesuit tradition, the School of Medicine calls its students, educators and leaders to serve the greater good, preparing them to make a lasting impact in patient care, research and community service.
This is done in part through a commitment to teaching students to focus on the patient. Rather than classroom-based instruction in large lecture halls, it emphasizes patient-based and problem-based learning, training physicians to practice with compassion, a commitment to excellence and a respect for human dignity.
Cura personalis is a Latin term meaning "care for the whole person." At the School of Medicine, this core Jesuit value shapes all aspects of education, from first-year medical classes to clinical rotations. Students learn to respect the dignity and unique needs of each individual patient, caring for their physical, mental and spiritual health.
The St. Louis region faces numerous challenges, including health inequities, substance abuse and mental health concerns. The School of Medicine encourages its students to apply their academic studies toward addressing these community health issues, ensuring they provide the highest quality of care.
Opportunities for community service and student advocacy also exist through the Office of Ignatian Mission in Medicine and across the broader School of Medicine.
In Jesuit education, magis --- Latin for "more" --- represents the pursuit of excellence for the greater good. Students are encouraged to pursue medical excellence through evidence-based practices integrated into their basic science studies, clinical training, research and community outreach initiatives.
The School of Medicine's curriculum emphasizes clinical decision-making and the importance of patient values in medical care, guiding students to adopt a humanistic approach alongside scholarly achievement.
A humanistic physician demonstrates compassion, empathy, ethical responsibility and a focus on the dignity of each patient. Rather than simply treating a disease, they provide holistic care for each patient's unique needs.
The School of Medicine emphasizes this humanistic approach, educating students to understand the context of their patients' lives and to develop the best possible treatment and care plans.
The School of Medicine prioritizes student wellness by providing resources that promote mental health, fight burnout and ensure work-life balance. These include:
- Confidential behavioral health services
- Wellness spaces and activities
- 75-plus student organizations, including honor societies and affinity groups
- Campus ministry and prayer groups
- Nutrition counseling
- Gym access and group fitness classes
- Community service opportunities
- Mental health resources
- Mistreatment reporting via the Office of Professional Oversight
While the School of Medicine continues to attract aspiring and ambitious physicians, it remains dedicated to fostering a diverse student body whose backgrounds and perspectives strengthen their connection to the community in which they live and work.
Specifically, the Office of Ignatian Mission in Medicine prioritizes inclusive environments, ensuring students feel a deep sense of safety and belonging that helps them to thrive as individuals, colleagues and community members.
Many of the School of Medicine's research efforts enhance community health, staying true to the Jesuit commitment to social justice, service and medical excellence.
For example, its partnership with the National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program accelerates community health research, drives medical breakthroughs and serves the community at large.
Through every stage of their training, the Office of Ignatian Mission in Medicine promotes a student culture of belonging, support and partnership. Key services include:
- Student organizations
- Mentorship
- Career development
- Pathway programs
- Mobile health clinic
- Mission ambassadors
- Community partnerships
The office acts as both a connector and convener, developing people, growing the community and scaling local impact so that excellence, discovery and service benefit all.
The School of Medicine emphasizes a holistic approach to education, engaging students through traditional studies, early clinical experiences and personal development. Growth is further supported by the integration of the health systems science curriculum, which enhances critical thinking in areas such as social determinants of health, medical business and healthcare ethics.
Faculty are valued for their humanism in addition to their raw intellectual ability. They challenge students to think critically and empower them to become agents of change.
Additionally, SLU's mobile health clinics provide students, residents and fellows with hands-on training to address unmet health and wellness needs in the region.