Purpose
Research and scholarship skills are critical for medical students, yet are often underdeveloped due to time constraints and limited training. Many lack exposure to research and awareness of scholarly opportunities. The MERAS program bridges these gaps by immersing students in scholarship examples, enhancing critical thinking and inquiry. Aligned with the Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM)’s values, MERAS equips future physicians to advance medical education and evidence-based practice.

Methods
At WAUSM, student scholarship encompasses presentations, reflections, and review articles. We developed a 10-session live online program with longitudinal mentorship spanning all curricular years. These panel-style sessions fostered self-directed learning in literature search, study design, curriculum development, and scholarly dissemination across traditional and emerging formats. All sessions were recorded for asynchronous access.

Results
The MERAS program demonstrates how aligning medical education with institutional values fosters a culture of collaboration and scholarship. Its flexible design empowers students to tailor participation and creates an engaging learning environment. Several students engaged in mentorship and demonstrated growing competence in medical education research. Key institutional outcomes include enhanced faculty-student collaboration, increased academic output, and the promotion of innovative teaching. These outcomes demonstrate the efficacy of structured programs to drive meaningful academic growth and creativity.

Conclusion
Academic scholarship and research skills are vital in medical education, yet students face multiple challenges acquiring them. The MERAS program’s flexible, interest-driven approach facilitates critical thinking, innovation, and academic excellence while promoting student engagement in scholarly activities.