Purpose
To address the limited number of structured opportunities for medical students to develop teaching and research skills in medical education, we designed a Medical Education and Research Track (MERT) at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. This proposed longitudinal, four-year program aims to prepare students for careers as clinician-educators by fostering competencies in teaching, curriculum design, mentorship, and medical education research.

Methods
MERT provides targeted learning experiences during pre-clinical and clinical years to students selected through a competitive application process. Pre-clinical activities include foundational principles of medical education, including curriculum development, instructional methodologies, and peer teaching. Clinical years emphasize applied teaching, mentorship, journal clubs, and a capstone project where participants will design an educational initiative or conduct original research on a medical education topic. Program components include faculty-led seminars, peer-led workshops, and teaching roles with underclassmen and undergraduate health sciences students. The track is designed to be adaptable, allowing for institutional scalability.

Results
Though not yet fully implemented, MERT is expected to benefit students by fostering essential teaching and research skills, early exposure to academic medicine, and stronger professional mentorship networks. Anticipated challenges include integrating the program into existing curricula, ensuring adequate mentorship resources, and balancing students’ clinical and educational commitments. Outcomes will be systematically evaluated and the track will be readjusted as necessary post-implementation.

Conclusion
MERT offers a proactive approach to preparing future clinician-educators and academic leaders by integrating teaching and research into early training. Anticipated lessons include the importance of flexible program design, ensuring accessibility for diverse student interests, and fostering a culture of collaboration in academic medicine. This innovation holds promise in preparing medical students to advance educational practices and healthcare delivery through enhanced teaching and research capabilities.