New Faculty Development Enterprise

On September 8, 2011, the Texas A&M Health Science Center (TAMHSC) College of Medicine Office of Faculty Development announced the launch of a central, comprehensive and college-wide faculty development program specifically designed for the professional educational development of all TAMHSC College of Medicine faculty members.

The Office of Faculty Development has recently expanded to include two full-time members, Lori Graham, Ph.D., and Courtney West, Ph.D. Several other faculty members will also be helping with this new program.

The Office of Faculty Development’s tools and programmatic offerings include a new website, training programs, continuing medical education (CME) modules, an online calendar of events with electronic registration and a three-tier training program which features an Academy of Distinguished Medical Educators at its advanced level.

The faculty development website is now live and contains more information about the three tiers of training programs, events and more.

“Faculty are the life blood of any academic institution. Thus, providing our faculty with the skills they need to effectively teach, conduct research and serve the public is one of the highest priorities for our College. The faculty development program is designed to do just that,” said Sam Shomaker, M.D., J.D., Dean of the TAMHSC College of Medicine.

“For example, teaching and learning, one of our strategic priorities, is vital to our success as a medical school for Texas,” Dr. Shomaker emphasized. “There is no greater calling—and no greater need—than that of excellent teachers to guide the next generation of physicians and scientists. Our faculty development initiative will help our faculty improve and refine their teaching skills to the benefit of all our students.”

Based on feedback from a faculty needs assessment conducted in the spring of 2011, the Office of Faculty Development will offer College of Medicine faculty opportunities to improve their skills in these most desired areas:

• Teaching
• Instructional Design & Curriculum Development
• Assessment & Evaluation
• Leadership, Mentoring & Organizational Development
• Scholarly Activity
• Personal & Professional Development

 

“Certain faculty development offerings will be required for all faculty in the near future, and continuing education will be required of all faculty for reappointment. Ultimately, faculty development offerings are designed to enrich faculty at all skill levels,” said Paul Ogden, M.D., Vice Dean of Academic Affairs.

“Additionally, we now have a dedicated liaison, Dr. Lori Graham, who serves as an Educational Development and Evaluation Coordinator and travels to all College of Medicine campuses.”

Dr. Graham, who has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, also serves as an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and is coordinating the work of the Office of Faculty Development.

Dr. West, who also has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, works with the Office of Faculty Development, the Office of Student Affairs, and serves as an Assistant Professor in Humanities.

The Office of Faculty Development has created three tiers of faculty development programs: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced.

The Basic Program consists of five modules that can be completed online or face-to-face.

The Intermediate Program includes a Medical Education Certificate program, a Modeling Excellence in Teaching (MET) series, and a Medical Academic Scholars Honor (MASH) program currently under development.

The Advanced Program is currently being designed and will include an Academy of Distinguished Medical Educators and a proposal for a future Master’s Degree in Medical Education.

Throughout all levels, faculty development can be offered in online modules, webinars and face-to-face for groups large or small.

CME credit and tracking will be maintained by the Office of Faculty Development and will be available online by October 2011.

Upcoming faculty development events at the TAMHSC Bryan campus include:

Education Grand Rounds with Elizabeth Nelson, M.D. of Baylor College of Medicine presenting “Time Management, Negotiation and Assertiveness: the Three Pillars of Successful Career Management” on September 21 from 12-1:30 p.m. (with videoconferencing to other sites)

Interactive teaching and learning strategies with Dee Silverthorn, Ph.D., of the University of Texas on October 19 from 12-1 p.m.

National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) item writing workshop from 8-11 a.m. and grand rounds from 12-1 p.m. with Aggie Butler, Ph.D., and Steve Haist, M.D., on December 2.

For more information, visit the Office of Faculty Development website or contact Dr. Graham at graham@medicine.tamhsc.edu or Dr. West at west@medicine.tamhsc.edu.