Ted James, M.D., believes that students in medical professions too often learn in “isolated silos,” though patients’ outcomes improve when they are treated by teams across from various parts of the health care system.

In May, the University of Vermont surgical oncologist and associate professor of surgery brought this message to other educators during a workshop for the Harvard Macy Institute, which offers professional development programs for academic leaders in health care. The institute is funded through a grant from the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, in collaboration with Harvard Medical School, Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School.

James’ workshop, entitled “Designing Interprofessional Education to Transform Health Care,” focused on giving health care professionals the guidance and tools to build educational programs at their own institutions to “promote a culture of collaborative practice,” according to his abstract for the course. “Participants will work together to create actionable plans for implementing IPE (interprofessional education) projects that enrich the student learning experience and ultimately advance patient care.”

Following his workshop, the Macy Institute invited James to become a recurring faculty member for its health educators course and provide an annual workshop on interprofessional education.

James, who is also director of clinical simulation for the UVM/UVM Medical Center Clinical Simulation Laboratory, recently received another recognition for his leadership as a medical educator. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) selected him as one of 16 participants in its 2015-2016 Leadership Development Program. The year-long program launched in 2009 to train future leaders in medicine by providing practicing oncologists with leadership skills training, networking opportunities and mentorship from ASCO leaders.

At UVM, James has received a Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation grant to develop an interprofessional curriculum to enhance patient safety and quality improvement. He is working to not only enhance the education of medical students but also to establish team training programs for professionals in oncology care.

In his surgical oncology practice, James has investigated ways to improve the quality and outcomes of breast cancer surgery. He also holds a master’s degree in health care management from the Harvard School of Public Health.

PUBLISHED

07-02-2015
Carolyn Shapiro