On Friday, May 9, the Teaching Academy at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine celebrated a decade of dedication to educational excellence with a special celebratory day. This milestone marks 10 years of supporting educators, fostering innovation in medical education, and advancing teaching and learning at the college.

To commemorate the occasion, the Teaching Academy hosted a series of special events, including a photography exhibit, a plenary session featuring expert insights on knowledge transfer in health professions education, and a 10th anniversary luncheon, where inaugural and current members gathered with Larner leadership to honor the academy’s achievements and look ahead.

The plenary address, titled “Translating Learning into Practice: Evidence-Based Strategies for Knowledge Transfer,” was delivered by Cynthia Nebel, Ph.D., Director of Learning Services at the St. Louis University School of Medicine.

Established in 2015, the Teaching Academy was founded with the support of Larner department chairs; Frederick Morin, M.D., former Larner dean (2007–2018); the Larner family; the UVM Foundation; Professor of Pediatrics Ann Guillot, then interim dean of the academy; and many other individuals who contributed to the visioning and planning process. Because of that vision and planning 10 years ago, today the academy membership comprises 24 distinguished educators, 56 expert teachers, 119 members, and 17 associate members.

Larner Dean Richard L. Page, M.D., said, “Over the past 10 years, the Teaching Academy has enhanced the quality of education throughout our college, with positive impacts on educators and learners at all levels. I congratulate Dr. Huggett, and everyone involved in the Teaching Academy, and look forward to the next decade of continued excellence.”

The academy highlights the importance of the education mission at Larner, and members are identified through a peer-review process. The academy also recognizes excellence in teaching and educational leadership through its awards celebrating significant contributions to medical education.

Recognized nationally for its impact, the Teaching Academy offers resources for faculty development, addressing such topics as teaching skills, curriculum design, assessment, course evaluation, and educational research. Programs like the annual Essentials of Teaching and Assessment course provide intensive training for new educators. Other initiatives—including medical education–focused Grand Rounds, the Snow Season Medical Education Retreat, the Medical Education Fellowship program, and the Peer Observation of Teaching program—promote learning and networking among faculty.

“In only our first decade, we have accomplished the goal to become a community of educators committed to improving health professionals’ education through faculty development and scholarly activity,” said Kathryn N. Huggett, Ph.D., director of the academy. “Our academy members have accomplished so much in the first 10 years that I am inspired to imagine what the next decade will bring.”

To mark this significant anniversary, the Teaching Academy is launching a 10th Anniversary Educational Scholarship Award that will provide funding for projects to enhance educational scholarship and innovation in medical education.

Read more about the Teaching Academy