The International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) is pleased to invite you to the 30th Annual IAMSE Conference to be held at the Marriott Augusta Convention Center in Augusta, Georgia, USA June 6-9, 2026! Below are some important dates and deadlines to know as we move closer to next year’s conference.
Dates and Deadlines for the 2026 Annual Conference:
Poster and Oral Abstract Deadline – December 1, 2025
Student & Faculty Travel Award Application Deadline – December 15, 2025
Educational Scholarship & Curriculum Innovation Grant Submission Deadline – January 15, 2026
Registration Open – January 2026
IAMSE-ScholarRx Educational Research Grant for Students Submission Deadline – January 15, 2026
Early Bird Registration Deadline – April 1, 2026
Presenter Registration Deadline – April 1, 2026
Online Registration Closes – Late May 2026
Be on the lookout for further updates and more information on each of these deadlines. We look forward to seeing you in Augusta!
IAMSE Communities of Growth (CoGs) are ongoing groups of like-minded individuals who want to informally get together to connect over an area or topic of interest. A Community of Growth is not directly connected to any Committee and is self-organized. For more information on IAMSE CoGs, click here.
Only the AI CoG will be meeting in October! Below are the details for the meeting.
AI CoG
The AI CoG meeting on Zoom will take place at Noon (12 PM) EDT on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. IAMSE AI CoG meetings take place regularly at 12 PM ET on the first Wednesday of each month. For information on how to join the AI CoG, email Doug McKell at douglas.mckell@gmail.com.
At the October meeting, Varna Taranikanti, MD, MS, PhD, Professor in the Department of Foundational Medical Studies at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, will present her research using a novel LLM to create a digital actor to improve patient interviewing skills. She will describe the development process, piloting of the AI tool, patient presentation, digital flexibility, feedback system, and her ongoing data collection. Dr. Taranikanti is also the Systems Director for integrating anatomy with clinical sciences, as well as being involved in teaching all disciplines of anatomy to M1/M2 students.
To join the October AI CoG Zoom meeting, click here. Meeting ID: 897 1837 0101 Passcode: 511007
The International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) invites you to join us for our fourth annual Virtual Forum! Join us October 22-24, 2025, as we host ignite talks, lightning talks, and more. The virtual forum is designed for all interested in teaching, designing, and leading health professions sciences curricula around the world. Participants include students & trainees, basic scientists, providers, clinicians, and other faculty from across various healthcare and educational disciplines. We specifically encourage junior faculty, postdocs, and students to participate in the forum! This year’s theme is “A Global Vision for Health Education: Empowering an International Community of Educators.”
Below, we look at one of our Virtual Forum Ignite Speakers, Krishna Mohan Surapaneni, Vice Principal and Professor at Panimalar Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, who will be presenting “Globalizing Medical Education: An Imperative for Change, Adaptation & Transformation” from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EDT Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Globalizing Medical Education: An Imperative for Change, Adaptation & Transformation
Krishna Mohan Surapaneni, Panimalar Medical College Hospital & Research Institute
Thursday, October 23, 2025 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EDT
Medical education is at a crossroads. Rapid advances in AI, digital technologies, and global interconnectedness are reshaping how we teach and learn medicine. While these shifts bring opportunities for innovation, equity, and collaboration across borders, they also expose paradoxes like widening digital divides, challenges to access, and the erosion of the human touch in healthcare. This Ignite Talk will explore how medical education can no longer remain confined to local contexts, but must adapt to a shared global framework. It will highlight the promise of cross-border collaboration, the risks of neglecting compassion and humanism, and a vision for restoring the heart of healing in a technology-driven era. Ultimately, it calls on us to cultivate globally connected, yet deeply human-centered medical education that prepares tomorrow’s leaders and healers.
To read more about Krishna Mohan Surapaneni, click here.
Educating for Change: Education’s Role in Addressing the Climate and Health Crisis
By Jyoti Mishra, PhD, MBA Arianne Teherani, PhD
We are excited to welcome Dr. Jyoti Mishra, Associate Professor at the University of California San Diego, and Dr. Arianne Teherani, Professor at the University of California San Francisco and Founding Co-Director of the Center for Climate Health and Equity, who will present Educating for Change: Education’s Role in Addressing the Climate and Health Crisis. The session will take placeat 12:00 PM EDT Thursday, September 25, for the fourth week of the IAMSE 2025 Fall Webcast Audio Seminar Series titled “Environmental Disasters Affecting Health Professions Education…Surviving the Storm and After.”
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to explore actionable strategies, share emerging scholarship, and learn how to educate future clinicians who can diagnose, manage, and prevent health consequences of environmental disasters.
The full IAMSE Fall 2025 WAS schedule can be found on the website.
Jyoti Mishra, PhD, MBA
Arianne Teherani, PhD
Educating for Change: Education’s Role in Addressing the Climate and Health Crisis
Presenters: Jyoti Mishra, University of California San Diego Arianne Teherani, PhD, University of California San Francisco, Center for Climate Health and Equity Session Date &Time: September 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT Session Description: This session will focus on addressing the critical role of education as a core solution to the climate and health crisis. The session will discuss the role of the health sector in climate action, the practical and evidence-based ways for educating health professionals about and how to teach students about the climate crisis and health, and the future directions for education about climate change and health.
In 2022, the USMLE Step 1 exam transitioned from numerical scoring to pass/fail reporting—a decision aimed at improving student well-being and reducing the weight of Step 1 scores in residency selection. While the intent was clear, the broader consequences of this change are still unfolding across medical education. Early national data suggest some unintended ripple effects: a notable drop in Step 1 pass rates and a growing number of students choosing to defer the exam.
LeClair and colleagues set out to explore how this change impacted medical students. In this multi-institutional study across three U.S. medical schools, the authors examined how the shift to pass/fail scoring influenced pre-clerkship students’ anxiety, curiosity, grit, and learning strategies. They used validated survey tools to compare two cohorts—students from the Class of 2023 (who received numerical scores) and the Class of 2024 (who received pass/fail reports).
The findings challenge some early assumptions. While many expected a less stressful learning environment under the new system, the reality was more nuanced. Through careful statistical analysis, the study revealed a significant connection between the scoring format and students’ approach to learning.
One clear trend emerged: as Step 1 scores became irrelevant for residency applications, students began redirecting their focus to Step 2 CK, clerkship performance, and extracurricular achievements like research. This shift may have implications for how students engage with foundational sciences in the preclinical years.
For educators and curriculum leaders, this study offers important food for thought. As we strive to balance student wellness with academic rigor, it’s crucial to monitor how major assessment changes shape learning behaviors. This work serves as an early reminder that even well-intentioned reforms must be continually evaluated for their real-world impact.
Monzurul Roni, PhD Teaching Associate Professor Department of Health Sciences Education and Pathology University of Illinois College of Medicine
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 Snehal Mehta.
Snehal Mehta, MD, CHSE® Associate Professor Clinical Foundations; Semester 5 MICR Module Co-Director Ross University School of Medicine St. Michael, Barbados
How long have you been a member of IAMSE? I have had the privilege of being a member of IAMSE since 2019. Over the past six years, my involvement has grown from attending conferences to actively contributing as a manuscript and abstract reviewer, finishing IAMSE Fellowship and most recently, serving as an IAMSE Ambassador. It has been a truly rewarding journey of growth and collaboration.
Looking at your time with the Association, what have you most enjoyed doing? What are you most looking forward to? What I have move enjoyed is the sense of being part of a global community dedicated to a common purpose. Specifically, I cherish the opportunities for collaborative scholarships, such as co-authoring publications with international colleagues and the chance to introduce peers in their own scholarly activities, like onboarding them as reviewers for the Medical Science Educator (MSE) journal.
Looking forward, I am incredibly excited about the potential for deeper regional engagement. My goal is to continue fostering connections among medical educators in the Caribbean, facilitating more collaborative research projects, and helping to highlight the unique perspectives and innovations from our region on the IAMSE platform. I am also keen to explore, with the Ambassadors team, how we can better involve students in health education research from the very beginning of their careers.
What interesting things are you working on outside of the Association right now? Outside of my IAMSE activities, my passion lies in integrating simulation-based learning into clinical education. I have contributed significantly to developing and implementing several simulation and active learning clinical sessions for our pre-clinical students at the Ross University School of Medicine, Barbados. We are now designing a research study to measure how this early exposure of simulation helps build their clinical confidence and problem-solving skills. My interest in simulation and technology in healthcare education also led me to contribute to a major industry report. I authored a section on ‘Clinical Decision Support’ for the Society for Simulation in Healthcare’s (SSiH) White Paper, which explores the future of technology in medical training. I have also been involved in a collaborative research project, working with colleagues from the universities and academic hospitals in Barbados and around the world. It is a brilliant example of how academic medicine can directly contribute to public health understanding in our community.
As an IAMSE Ambassador, what do you most enjoy about being a part of that? Being an ambassador is less of a title and more of a joyful responsibility. It has been both an honor and a genuine pleasure to collaborate with Professor Di Eley, our Ambassador Committee Chair, and my fellow Ambassadors. Their dedication and collaborative spirit have made the experience incredibly rewarding.
What I most enjoy is the role of a connector – a bridge. I value being able to introduce my colleagues here in Barbados and the wider Caribbean to the incredible resources and networking opportunities IAMSE provides. There is a profound sense of fulfillment in helping to improve their voices, support their professional development, and integrate our regional experiences into the global conversation on medical education.
Anything else that you would like to add? I would like to express my deepest gratitude for this recognition. My foundational training in both Clinical Biochemistry and Emergency Medicine has given me a unique lens through which I view medical education; it is about connecting the foundational science to the clinical bedside in a way that is meaningful for students.
Ultimately, everything I do is driven by a simple goal: to contribute to forming compassionate, and competent, 21st-century physicians. By advocating for global collaboration, innovative teaching methods like simulation, and supporting scholarly growth, we are not just improving education; we are investing in better and more accessible patient care worldwide. IAMSE has provided the perfect platform to live out my passion for this integration. Thank you for this incredible opportunity to be a part of this mission.
Challenges in Rebuilding: Lessons Learned after Major Storms
By Julie Taylor, MD, MSc Cecilia Sorensen, MD
We are excited to welcome Dr. Julie Taylor, Associate Dean for Medical Education at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and Dr. Cecilia Sorensen, Associate Professor at Columbia University, who will present Challenges in Rebuilding: Lessons Learned after Major Storms. The session will take placeat 12:00 PM EDT Thursday, September 18, for the third week of the IAMSE 2025 Fall Webcast Audio Seminar Series titled “Environmental Disasters Affecting Health Professions Education…Surviving the Storm and After.”
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to explore actionable strategies, share emerging scholarship, and learn how to educate future clinicians who can diagnose, manage, and prevent health consequences of environmental disasters.
The full IAMSE Fall 2025 WAS schedule can be found on the website.
Below we look at the third week’s presentation:
Julie Taylor, MD, MSc
Cecilia Sorensen, MD
Challenges in Rebuilding: Lessons Learned after Major Storms
Presenters: Julie Taylor, MD, MSc, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth Cecilia Sorensen, MD, Columbia University Session Date &Time: September 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT Session Description: This session will focus on the challenges and opportunities that medical schools could face after being severely disrupted by a major weather event. The webinar will cover 1.) the immediate post-storm response, 2.) the strategic process and timeline of rebuilding, and 3.) lessons learned, including planning and preparation for future events.
Environmental Crisis and Disasters… Surviving the Storm and After
By Sean Ochsenbein, MD, MBA
We are excited to welcome Dr. Sean Ochsenbein, Chief Medical Officer at Ballad Health, who will present Environmental Crisis and Disasters…Surviving the Storm and After at 12:00 PM EDT Thursday, September 11, for the second week of the IAMSE 2025 Fall Webcast Audio Seminar Series titled “Environmental Disasters Affecting Health Professions Education…Surviving the Storm and After.”
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to explore actionable strategies, share emerging scholarship, and learn how to educate future clinicians who can diagnose, manage, and prevent health consequences of environmental disasters.
The full IAMSE Fall 2025 WAS schedule can be found on the website.
Sean Ochsenbein, MD, MBA
Environmental Crisis and Disasters… Surviving the Storm and After
Presenters: Sean Ochsenbein, MD, MBA, Ballad Health Session Date &Time: September 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT Session Description: A first-hand perspective of navigating the Hurricane Helene disaster and it’s related distruption on healthcare in the Appalachian region.
IAMSE Communities of Growth (CoGs) are ongoing groups of like-minded individuals who want to informally get together to connect over an area or topic of interest. A Community of Growth is not directly connected to any Committee and is self-organized. For more information on IAMSE CoGs, click here.
Three IAMSE CoGs will be meeting in September! The AI CoG, CORE CoG, and Nutrution and Health Promotion CoG will all meet on Zoom. Below are the details for each meeting.
AI CoG
The AI CoG meeting on Zoom will take place at Noon (12 PM) EDT on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Due to the Labor Day holiday in the United States on Monday, September 1, this meeting will take place a week later than usual. IAMSE AI CoG meetings take place regularly at 12 PM ET on the first Wednesday of each month. For information on how to join the AI CoG, email Doug McKell at douglas.mckell@gmail.com.
To join the September AI CoG Zoom meeting, click here. Meeting ID: 897 1837 0101 Passcode: 511007
CORE CoG
The Community Outreach, Research, and Engagement (CORE) CoG meeting will take place at 3:00 PM EDT on Monday, September 15, 2025. CORE CoG meetings then take place regularly on the second Thursday of the month at 3:00 PM ET, and the second Monday of the month at 11:00 AM ET every other month. The CORE CoG is led by Peter Vollbrecht and Natascha Heise.
To join the September CORE CoG meeting, click here. Meeting ID: 878 6039 0726 Passcode: 159759
Nutrition and Health Promotion CoG
The Nutrition and Health Promotion CoG meeting will take place at 12:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Nutrition and Health Promotion CoG meetings take place quarterly (March, June, September, December) on the fourth Wednesday of that month at 12:00 PM ET. For more information on the Nutrition and Health Promotion CoG and how to join, contact CoG leaders Jana Simmons (simmjana@msu.edu) or Kearney Gunsalas (gunsalus@uga.edu).
To join the September Nutrition and Health Promotion CoG meeting, click here. Meeting ID: 826 5969 3840 Passcode: 994588
For more information on these CoGs and the other active IAMSE CoGs, click here.
Are We There Yet? Climate Change and Health in Medical Education
By Adrian Cois, MD, MBBS Karly Hampshire, MD
We are excited to welcome Dr. Adrian Cois, MD, MBBS, Assistant Professor at Oregon Health Science University, and Dr. Karly Hampshire, Resident Physician at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, who will present Are We There Yet? Climate Change and Health in Medical Education at 12:00 PM EDT Thursday, September 4, to begin the IAMSE 2025 Fall Webcast Audio Seminar Series titled “Environmental Disasters Affecting Health Professions Education…Surviving the Storm and After.”
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to explore actionable strategies, share emerging scholarship, and learn how to educate future clinicians who can diagnose, manage, and prevent health consequences of environmental disasters.
The full IAMSE Fall 2025 WAS schedule can be found on the website.
Below we look at the first week’s presentation:
Adran Cois, MD, MBBS (left), and Karly Hampshire, MD (right).
Are We There Yet? Climate Change and Health in Medical Education
Presenters: Adrian Cois, MD, MBBS, Assistant Professor, Oregon Health Science University Karly Hampshire, MD, Resident Physician, Columbia University Irving Medical Center Session Date &Time: September 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT Session Description: Join us for an engaging session on the integration of climate health and sustainability content in medical education. We will trace the evolution of the climate and health movement within medical training over the past decade and explore strategies for embedding this content in undergraduate and graduate curricula. This session will also spotlight the transformative role of trainee advocacy in driving curricular change and shaping a more sustainable future for healthcare.
The International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) is pleased to announce that registration for our fourth annual Virtual Forum is now open! Join us October 22-24, 2025, as we host lightning talks, ignite talks, and more! The theme for the Virtual Forum is:
A Global Vision for Health Education: Empowering an International Community of Educators
The IAMSE Virtual Forum is designed for all interested in teaching, designing, and leading health professions sciences curricula around the world. Participants include students & trainees, basic scientists, providers, clinicians, and other faculty from across various healthcare and educational disciplines. We specifically encourage junior faculty, postdocs, and students to participate in the forum!
Additional details and registration can be found at www.IAMSEForum.org, as well as more information on speakers and sessions through your email. Keep an eye on your inbox. Looking forward to meeting you at the forum!
Thank you, Demidmaa Tuvdendorj Chair, IAMSE 2025 Virtual Forum On behalf of the IAMSE 2025 Virtual Forum Program Committee
As a final reminder, the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) is pleased to announce the call for Focus Sessions for their 30th Annual IAMSE Conference to be held at the Marriott Augusta Convention Center in Augusta, Georgia, USA, June 6-9, 2026. The IAMSE Conference offers opportunities for faculty development and networking, bringing together educators from across the continuum of health sciences education. The theme of the IAMSE 2026 Conference is Flourishing Through Change: Adaptability, Innovation, and Growth in Health Sciences.
The purpose of a 90-minute Focus Session is to “focus in” on a specific topic in a small group interactive discussion format. Based on previous years, group size might vary between 10-70 individuals. The exact format for the session is at the discretion of the session leader(s), as long as not more than one-third of the time is being used for formal presentation and the remainder of the time is used for interaction, active learning in small groups, and discussion. The Program Committee welcomes a wide spectrum of submissions, such as multi-institutional and inter-professional collaborations and presenter teams consisting of junior and senior faculty and students.
All abstracts must be submitted in the format requested through the online abstract submission form found here.
Submission Deadline is September 1, 2025.
Abstract acceptance notifications will be sent by November 1, 2025. Please contact support@iamse.org for any questions about your submission.
We hope to see you in Augusta next year!
Thank you, Will Brooks Chair, IAMSE 2026 Program Committee
