The University of Vermont College of Medicine Teaching Academy was formally launched at the annual Office of Medical Student Education Stick Season Retreat held December 4 to 5, with presentations, workshops, a poster session and the induction of charter members into the Academy.
Professor of Pediatrics Ann Guillot, M.D., serves as interim director of the Academy, which aims to foster a scholarly approach to medical education, nurture faculty professional development and advancement, and guide curricular innovations through a collaborative, cross-departmental process.
“There has always been respect for teaching here, but the way that the academy will be a game-changer will be to elevate the scholarly work of medical education to a level that parallels the importance of patient care and basic science research, and to provide a very rich context for improvement and articulation of that work for faculty members,” says Guillot.
The Stick Season Retreat kicked off with an evening reception and poster session that showcased more than 40 educational scholarship projects. College of Medicine Dean Frederick C. Morin III, M.D., noted that the retreat’s record attendance of more than 135 faculty demonstrates the commitment to the College’s education mission, and acknowledged the work of event co-chairs Timothy Fries, M.D., professor of neurological sciences, and Judith Lewis, M.D., professor of psychiatry. Dean Morin also announced a $1 million commitment from alumnus Robert Larner, M.D., for an endowed professor of medical education who will serve as Director of the Teaching Academy.
The Academy, with funding from clinical chairs, the general fund and gifts, was launched after four years of planning by a task force and input from more than 100 people from all College departments.
“We tapped into a pent-up demand among the faculty to recognize, reward and nurture teaching,” says William Jeffries, Ph.D., senior associate dean for medical education. “We know we’re on the right track.”
The event also featured a keynote address from Boyd Richards, M.D., and Andrew Mutnick, M.D., of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, titled “Achieving Success as a Medical Educator in Academia Today.” The talk focused on the principles of team-based learning that are the foundation of medical education nationally, and provided a foundation for the afternoon workshops.
Dr. Guillot announced the charter members of the Teaching Academy, a group of faculty from the Steering Committee and Task Force who piloted and refined the process of submitting portfolios for internal and external review at the different membership levels.
Teaching Academy Charter Members
Distinguished Educators
Lewis First, M.D., Professor and Chair of Pediatrics
Ann Guillot, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics
Charles Irvin, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine
William Jeffries, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Judith Lewis, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry
Martha Seagrave, P.A., Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Master Teachers
Stephen Everse, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry
Rebecca Wilcox, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology
Members
Elise Everett, M.D., Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science
Robert Low, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
Workshops on how to apply for membership will be offered in January 2015, and applications should be submitted by February for induction into the inaugural cohort at the annual Mud Season Retreat on March 26 to 27, 2015.