Academic Advising
At the Medical School, we believe that academic advising is a crucial component of your educational journey. Our team of Academic Advisors is here to support and guide you through your medical school experience.
Areas of focus:
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Academic progression
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Logistics
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Connections to resources
Your Academic Advisor is also your first point of contact for any questions when you’re not sure where to go for the answer.
The Medical School has a "Houses" program; each House (named after UMN-developed apples!) has at least 1 Academic Advisor, designated Faculty Advisors, and peer support tied to them. Your Academic Advisor works closely with your Faculty Advisor to support you from matriculation through graduation.
You can learn more about our role by reviewing our Advising Syllabus.
Meet the Academic Advisors
Addy Irvine, MA - Centennial House
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Specific student populations/areas of focus: Leading the Advising program, student parents
Bio: I got my undergraduate degree from the U of M Duluth campus and my Master’s from the U of M Twin Cities. I’ve worked in the Medical School since 2014 and the University since 2012. My husband, Aaron, and I have a son, William, who is a constant source of joy and entertainment. I enjoy various types of crafting (knitting and machine embroidery especially) as well as strategy board games (currently playing Gloomhaven), playing casual video games, and snuggling our senior dachshund, Winston.
Salient identities: I am a white, cisgender woman. I am bisexual and have a chronic illness that is an invisible disability in addition to generalized anxiety.
Betsy Hendrick, MA - Beacon House
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Specific student populations/areas of focus: BA/MD students
Bio: I attended the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for undergrad and did my graduate work at the University of Northern Colorado. I have worked in medical education as an academic advisor since 2019. Beyond work I enjoy cooking, group fitness, and spending time outdoors. I have visited over twenty national parks and try to check a few off the list each year.
Salient identities: I am a white, cisgender woman from a rural community. I live with a chronic illness.
Phil Hohl - Zestar! House
Pronouns: he/him/his
Specific student populations/areas of focus: MSTP (MD/PhD) Students
Bio: I received my undergraduate degree from College of St. Scholastica (Duluth, MN) and master’s degree from University of MN (Twin Cities). I previously taught social studies to 5th-9th graders, before shifting to academic advising. I have been advising graduate students since 2019. My wife, Taylor, and I have 2 children - Quinn and Marshall. Outside of work or going to various kids’ activities, I enjoy spending time painting, reading, and playing board games. My favorite board games currently include Arkham Horror LCG, Paladins of the West Kingdom, and any of the games from Chip Theory.
Salient identities: I am white, cisgender man. I also have a rare skin condition, known as ILVEN (Inflammatory Linear Verrucous Epidermal Nevus). You will mostly notice it on my right arm (it looks like a burn or a poorly done tattoo).
Zack Gill - St. Cloud & Duluth Students
Pronouns: he/him/his
Specific student populations/areas of focus: Duluth and St. Cloud MS1 & MS2 students
Bio: I attended the University of Minnesota Duluth for my undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology and Outdoor Education/Recreation. My experiences in Duluth led me to work with at risk and incarcerated youth in a wilderness therapy setting for a couple years until attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for my Masters. I've worked mainly as an undergraduate academic advisor here a the U of M until my daughters River (two and a half) and Winter (Winnie, a little over one year old now) were born, at which both times my wife Jenn and I took the maternity/parental leave opportunities to travel the US for a few months. We went out West visiting 15 different national parks on the first trip with River, and 5 national parks down South and West with Winnie and River in the winter/spring of 2024. Our wonderful dogs Cap and Belle were able to travel with us too which was so good. After an extended job search, I was invited to join the good folks in the Medical School Student Affairs office as an academic advisor. Outside of work and travel, I enjoy biking of all kinds, running, and working on home projects, as well as hanging out with my daughters and dogs!
Salient identities: I am a white, cisgender, mid-30's man from a middle class, suburban family upbringing in the south metro of the Twin Cities.
Scheduling an Appointment
Your Academic Advisor will always have appointment slots available on their calendar.
To schedule an advising appointment, click the link for your advisor's schedule below.