Our Association is a robust and diverse set of educators, students, researchers, medical professionals, volunteers and academics that come from all walks of life and from around the globe. Each month we choose a member to highlight their academic and professional career and see how they are making the best of their membership in IAMSE. This month’s Featured Member is Leah Sheridan.
Leah Sheridan
Professor and Associate Dean for Medical Education
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
Rootstown, Ohio, USA
How long have you been a member of IAMSE?
I have been a member of IAMSE since 2015.
Looking at your time with the Association, what have you most enjoyed doing? What are you looking forward to?
I have most enjoyed meeting new people each year through various activities that the organization has facilitated. From attendance and presentations at the annual conference, to participation in IAMSE’s valuable partnership with Aquifer, to service on IAMSE committees, I have been fortunate to meet, work with, and learn from amazing educators. I look forward to continued collaboration with my IAMSE colleagues and friends to support shared evolutions of our craft.
In particular, I look forward to highlighting the fruits of the IAMSE-Aquifer Sciences initiative, the first nationally developed and publicly available curriculum that comprehensively outlines the core basic sciences concepts that must be understood and mastered by health professions learners in order to provide safe, routine patient care. The Aquifer Sciences curriculum was developed by over 100 science and clinical educators from institutions across the nation, the majority of whom are IAMSE members, and is maintained by Aquifer’s commitment to cognitive integration and collaborative teaching of basic and clinical sciences.
What interesting things are you working on outside of the Association right now?
I have recently accepted an opportunity to serve as the Associate Dean for Medical Education at Northeast Ohio Medical University. This new role is both exciting and motivating for me. I enjoy sharing the lessons I have learned through teaching and curriculum development over the past 15 years with a new school and group of fabulous colleagues and educators, as well as learning from them best practices that support learner achievement in our particular setting and learning environment.
Congratulations on receiving the Distinguished Career Award for Excellence in Teaching and Educational Scholarship this year! Can you reflect on what that means to you? Where do you see your impact within the Association?
Thank you! This award is truly humbling, and I still don’t understand how I received it when I consider the innumerable excellent teachers and scholars in our organization. I feel like I am just beginning to hit my stride in medical education, less imposter syndrome and more “I kind of know what I’m doing.” I am now motivated to help my colleagues be recognized for the amazing work they are doing and look forward to highlighting their achievements among our IAMSE community.
As Chair of this year’s IAMSE Virtual Forum, what are you most looking forward to about this event? What do you think people should know?
I look forward to the fall Virtual Forum as an opportunity for the IAMSE community to convene on a semi-annual basis with our in-person event each June. The Virtual Forum is a low-cost opportunity for us to stay connected and fuel our creative endeavors, particularly for those who appreciate the flexibility of an online format during the academic year, such as teachers and students. The event is now in its third year, and I encourage the entire IAMSE community to register and attend sessions as able. We have an exciting program lined up this year. You surely won’t be disappointed!
Anything else that you would like to add?
I would like to add my sincere gratitude to my IAMSE family for all that you have empowered me to do and achieve in my career so far. I could not have done it without you and look forward to seeing what exciting things we accomplish next!