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 Sandra Haudek.

Sandra Haudek, MSc, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research
Huffington Department of Education, Innovation, and Technology
School of Medicine, Office of Curriculum
Office of Faculty Development
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas, USA

How long have you been a member of IAMSE?
My first IAMSE meeting was 2017 in Burlington, Virginia, and I immediately signed up for more. With a background as a trained basic scientist, I was impressed by the quality, breadth, and depth of the educational research and scholarship presented, as well as the opportunity to meet incredibly talented and gracious individuals. Since then, IAMSE has become my professional home and a defining part of my academic journey.

Looking at your time with the Association, what have you most enjoyed doing? What are you most looking forward to?
What I enjoy most is the sense of community and collaboration that IAMSE fosters. Serving on committees, moderating in-person and virtual sessions, and presenting at conferences have allowed me to connect with inspiring educators and scholars worldwide. The first committee role was with the Webcast Audio Seminar Committee, where I helped organize focused series, invited speakers, and wrote session summaries, a rewarding experience I still cherish. Chairing the Onboarding Committee has been equally meaningful, as it allows me to welcome new members and help them engage with the Association. Looking ahead, I am excited to create even more opportunities for networking, engagement, and mentorship across our global community. My goals is to ensure IAMSE continues to be a place where every member feels connected, valued, and inspired. 

What interesting things are you working on outside of the Association right now?
At Baylor College of Medicine, I served as Chair of the School of Medicine Curriculum Committee and currently serve as Director of the Foundational Sciences Curriculum, where I helped design, implement, and oversee new medical curriculum, including innovative assessment strategies. I also lead the faculty development initiatives, such as the Peer Coaching for Educators and Research Mentoring programs. As former Vice Chair of Faculty Development in my department, I supported colleagues in achieving awards and promotions. In addition, I maintain a teaching appointment at the Vienna University of Technology, Austria, reflecting my commitment to international collaboration. These roles allow me to continuously learn and grow by integrating best practices in education while advancing both faculty and student success.

As the Chair of the IAMSE Onboarding Committee, what do you most enjoy about leading that committee?
Leading the Onboarding Committee is deeply fulfilling because it focuses on creating a welcoming environment for new members, whether through our New Member Lunch at annual conferences or virtual engagement during the “IAMSE 101 – Getting to Know Your Association” seminar. I particularly enjoyed developing and implementing the BINGO game at the annual conference, which added a fun and interactive element to networking. I value helping individuals feel included and welcomed from the start, as onboarding is a critical step toward fostering long-term engagement and belonging within IAMSE. 

Anything else that you would like to add?
IAMSE has given me mentorship, friendships, and a global network that continues to shape my perspective and passion for medical education. Receiving the IAMSE Distinguished Career Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship was a career highlight and inspires me to give back even more. IAMSE offers opportunities for collaboration, professional growth, and exposure to innovative educational research, while its global reach brings diverse perspectives and a shared mission that fosters belonging and purpose. My goal is to help advance IAMSE’s strategic priorities, so every member feels supported, connected, and empowered to contribute. 

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 Chasity O’Malley.

Chasity O’Malley
Professor and Vice Chair of the Foundations Phase
Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Dayton, Ohio, USA

How long have you been a member of IAMSE?
I have been a member of IAMSE since 2019, so I think this makes 7 years.

Looking at your time with the Association, what have you most enjoyed doing? What are you most looking forward to?
I love connecting with IAMSE colleagues, whether it be virtually or in person. I’ve participated virtually through the Virtual Forum and the Cafes and in person at the annual conferences. There is sort of magic in talking with colleagues from other institutions. We have the ability to commiserate and troubleshoot issues we’re facing. It helps so much to hear that you’re not alone and to be able to hear how others have navigated situations successfully. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone at the annual conference in Augusta!

What interesting things are you working on outside of the Association right now?
My students and I presented our mindfulness study at the recent annual and we are finishing up the manuscript for publication, so we’re super excited for that. I am in the 5th and final year of an NSF funded grant called CAPER that focuses on faculty development related to active learning and educational research. We’re working to help our participants who have completed their projects to finish their manuscripts for publication and those who are in their data collection phase to work towards presenting their data this summer. It’s a lot of work, but so fulfilling to see these faculty participants finish their projects. I am also expanding on my mindfulness work to extend to faculty and staff, as well as some additional approaches for our medical students. 

Why do you feel that membership in IAMSE is important? what would you tell people who are thinking about joining the Association?
Membership in IAMSE helps in so many ways! It opens doors and presents opportunities for collaboration with colleagues across the globe. For anyone in the promotion pipeline, IAMSE can be a game changer, providing opportunities to present internationally and to network for outside reviewer letters, not to mention, the opportunity to serve on a committee for an international organization. For those just getting started in teaching, IAMSE can help you navigate those uncertain waters and for those who are seasoned educators, IAMSE helps to keep us up to date on the current trends in medical education.

As the Chair of the IAMSE Cafe Committee, what do you most enjoy about leading that committee? Why should people take part in the IAMSE Cafes?
I love seeing our members at the Cafes. Seeing members at the Cafes helps reinforce that we’ve picked topics that are relevant, timely, and of value to our membership. As the committee chair, I especially enjoy being able to curate those new topics based on feedback from our membership. The Cafes are a great way to connect with IAMSE members in a casual environment and get to know one another. Additionally, the topics are a mix of IAMSE events and services, along with current topics in health professions education. The Cafes are a great way to build your own IAMSE community!