Good things are happening! The BSEF has grown by over 28% since the appearance of our first issue of The Forum newsletter, and I am daily receiving requests from basic scientists who wish to join our ranks. For this I thank all of you who have shared a copy with a friend, and especially the 143 Dean’s Delegates who gave of their time to circulate this newsletter to the basic science departments and individuals within their respective U.S. and Canadian medical schools. As this publication gains significance through reputation, even more individuals will be attracted to our organization. And together, we will achieve consensus and resolve the issues we have undertaken.
I am pleased to announce that Thomas M. Devlin, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Biological Chemistry at Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, has accepted the position of Associate Editor for our column Innovations in Basic Science Teaching. Dr. Devlin is currently an Associate Editor for the journal Biochemical Education sponsored by the International Union of Biochemistry, and is personally active in the field of innovative teaching. Although we frequently seek collaboration with our research efforts, many basic scientists work in isolation when creating oftentimes thoughtful and stimulating ways to convey their disciplines to students. Very few share those efforts with others. The Forum newsletter now provides a vehicle for such sharing and will begin accepting descriptive articles of 1,000 words or less. Once again, I would encourage you to share your creativity with us all through this medium. For further information, contact Dr. Devlin directly by phone: (215) 448-7947 or FAX: (215) 448-3722.
Beginning with our Summer, 1992 issue, we will be featuring a series of articles on Clinical Correlations in the Basic Sciences. Gabriel T. Virella, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina has graciously accepted the role of Guest Editor for this series. In the next three issues of this newsletter, two 750-1,000 word articles will appear, each describing clinical correlations in a basic science discipline. The Summer, 1992 issue will begin with Clinical Correlations in Microbiology and Immunology, written by Dr. Virella, and Clinical Correlations in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, author as yet undesignated. The series will continue in the Winter, 1993 issue with …Pharmacology and…Pathology, and conclude in the Summer, 1993 issue with …Anatomy and…Physiology. It is our intent that each article broadly address clinical correlations within the unique parameters of the discipline and describe the writer’s own efforts. If your wish to be considered for authoring one of these articles, please contact Dr. Virella directly by phone: (803) 792-4421 or by FAX: (803) 792-2464.
Recent changes in the path to medical licensure in the United States have raised many questions for basic scientists regarding the new Step 1 Examination and its implications for our individual disciplines. In this issue, we are pleased to present a very special Invited Article by Drs. Swanson, Case, Melnick, and Volle from the National Board of Medical Examiners. This article, titled Impact of USMLE Step 1 on Teaching and Learning of the Basic Biomedical Science reviews these changes in light of their potential impact on tour educational mission.
Also in this issue, are the complete abstracts and proceedings of the Fourth Annual Meeting of the National Basic Science Education Forum, which was held during the AAMC meetings in Washington, DC this past November. Our theme this winter was Basic Sciences in the Clinical Years, and was moderated by Richard M. Hyde, Ph.D., Southern Regional Director. This session was one activity directed toward the BSEF Project led by Dr. Hyde, Integration of the Curriculum: Defining the Role of Basic Scientists in the Clinical Educational Setting and Clinicians in the Basic Science Educational Setting. I would remind everyone that all four Regional Directors are seeking individuals to contribute ideas to our four Current BSEF Projects.
Yes, good things are happening. And through sharing our talents we will make the BSEF an even more effective and viable faculty organization dedicated to resolving issues and progressing the cause of quality medical education. Join us and become involved. Your voice can made a difference!