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 Sarah Clayton.
Sarah Clayton
Associate Professor and Interim Department Chair
Physiology & Pharmacology Department
Des Moines University
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
How long have you been a member of IAMSE?
I have been a member of IAMSE for about 10 years.
Looking at your time with the Association, what have you most enjoyed doing? What are you looking forward to?
I really think the Association is quite dynamic and working to continually improve medical education. I pour over the publications to glean new ideas and approaches to my teaching. In addition, the Fall and Spring Webinar Series are always well organized and timely. In the past, our institution has used these as events where faculty could meet, review the seminar, and then hold discussions as time allowed. I have always gotten great insights and ideas, especially as a novice educator. I am looking forward to widening my collaborative “net” as I engage further with members across the Association and work together to advance medical education.
What interesting things are you working on outside of the Association right now?
I was recently just promoted to Interim Chair for the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. While this role is a bit daunting to me, I know the relationships that I have made, within DMU and with outside colleagues, including those within IAMSE, will put me in a good position to understand the best approaches to this new position. I also became a Fellow of the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators this year. Additionally, I have very active research collaborations within Des Moines University, when I am not in the classroom.
Congratulations on receiving the IAMSE Reviewer of the Year Award this year! Can you reflect on what that means to you? Where do you see your impact within the Association?
I was truly honored and humbled to receive this award – it came as a complete surprise! I appreciate the validation of my work, and it has allowed me to get more involved with IAMSE as an Associate Editor for MSE. As I increase my engagement with the Association, I am looking forward to sharing experiences and collaborating with other amazing medical educators around the world and giving back to my profession.
Anything else that you would like to add?
I would like to express my gratitude to all the members of the Association and especially those members that made specific impacts on where I am today, including Drs. Kurt Cornish and Edward (Pat) Finnerty. Their enthusiasm for medical education and encouragement to engage with the Association made a powerful impact on my career trajectory. I have really enjoyed the home I have found within the Association and the opportunities it has afforded; I would highly recommend that medical educators engage with this Association, as the community is supportive and collaborative.