About Us > News

News

Don’t Miss These Focus Sessions at #IAMSE26!

Posted by

The 30th Annual IAMSE Conference will feature a host of new focus sessions throughout the entire conference. Below, we look at the focus sessions being offered during the Sunday block! 

Each of the following focus sessions will take place from 9:45 AM – 11:15 AM EDT Sunday, June 7, 2026, during the IAMSE 2026 Conference. Click the links for each session for more information!

Active Learning in Pathophysiology: Applications of AI-Enabled Physiology Models
Presented by: Aaron Smith, AIBODY

Adapting Leadership Frames for Personal Growth and Professional Flourishing
Presented by: Heather Christensen, University of Cincinnati, Carrie Elzie, Methodist University, Uzoma “Samuel” Ikonne, Old Dominion University, and Aaron Marshall, University of Cincinnati

A New Era of Learning: Curricular Innovation for a Pass/Fail World
Presented by: Kathleen Everling, Independent Educational Consultant, and Demidmaa Tuvdendorj, Drexel University College of Medicine

Connecting the Dots: Assessing Competency in Medical Knowledge Integration
Presented by: Candace Pau and Katerina Venderova, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine

Developing Reflective Practitioners: Using Learning Objectives as Metacognitive Scaffolds for Pre-Clerkship Self-Assessment
Presented by: Mercedes Byrd and James Martin, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine

Expanding Perspectives: International Opportunities for Medical Science Educators
Presented by: Aviad Haramati, Georgetown University School of Medicine, and Lawrence Sherman, Meducate Global, LLC

Flourishing Amidst Contemporary Leadership Challenges: Frameworks and Resources for Success
Presented by: Katie Huggett, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, and Kelly Quesnelle, Xavier Oshsner College of Medicine

Let’s Dig In: Creating Research Opportunities through Data Mining
Presented by: Bonnie Brenseke, Godwin Dogbey, and Christopher Fink, Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine

Leveraging Generative AI for Open Education Resources (OER): Accelerating Accessible Health Professions Education for All
Presented by: Puh-Sun Goh, National University of Singapore, Young Loo Lin School of Medicine, Tao Le, University of Louisville, and Elisabeth Schlegel, Western Atlantic University School of Medicine

Using the Novel SHIFT (Session-Level Horizontal Integration Fit for Teaching) Conceptual Framework for Horizontal Integration in Health Professions Education
Presented by: Akshata Naik, OUWB, and Jane Newman, Oakland University William Beaumont

Conference Info

For more information and to register for the IAMSE 2026 Conference, please visit www.IAMSEconference.org.

Register for #IAMSE26

A Medical Science Educator Article Review From Dr. Monzurul Roni

Posted by

Medical Science Educator

This month, the IAMSE Publications Committee review is taken from the article titled Medical Students and the Imposter Phenomenon: A Coexistence Precipitated and Perpetuated by the Educational Environment?, published in Medical Science Educator (9 December 2022) by Thomas Franchi and Nigel Russell-Sewell.

Imposter phenomenon or syndrome is the persistent belief that one’s success is not a result of one’s own effort or skills. This psychological phenomenon is disproportionately prevalent among medical students and medical professionals. In this mixed-methods study, Franchi and Russell-Sewell examined how imposter feelings take hold and persist among medical students. They investigated whether the very environment designed to train medical students may inadvertently undermine students’ sense of belonging and self-efficiency. 

Combining validated quantitative measures with focus interviews, the authors shed light on a phenomenon that is not only widespread but also deeply consequential for learner well-being and focus. In line with previous studies, a large proportion of medical students reported high levels of imposter phenomenon, with significant differences across gender and training stages. The qualitative data revealed that the educational environment, particularly assessment culture, can intensify comparison and self-doubt. The data suggest that how students are assessed may influence not only motivation and collaboration, but also their stress levels. 

The study revealed that summative assessment that follows norm-referenced rankings rather than criterion-based standards (such as pass/fail) may convey unintended messages about competence. The authors note that the recent shift of the USMLE Step 1 examination to a pass/fail report reflects a growing recognition of these concerns and raise the question of whether medical students should apply similar principles to their own summative assessments. 

Importantly, this article offers new insights and multiple recommendations to reshape the assessment culture and normalize psychological struggle as part of growth. For educators, leaders, and policymakers committed to learner well-being, Franchi and Russell-Sewell provide both compelling evidence base and an actionable framework to change.

Monzurul Roni, PhD
Teaching Associate Professor
Department of Health Sciences Education and Pathology
University of Illinois College of Medicine

Lerchenfeldt to Present for Week 3 of IAMSE Spring 2026 Webcast Audio Seminar Series!

Posted by

Peer Feedback with Purpose: Upholding High Standards While Supporting Learner Growth

By Sarah Lerchenfeldt, EdD

We are excited to welcome Dr. Sarah Lerchenfeldt, Interim Co-Chair and Associate Professor at the Oakland William Beaumont School of Medicine, who will present Peer Feedback with Purpose: Upholding High Standards While Supporting Learner Growth. The session will take place on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 12:00 PM EDT, for the third week of the IAMSE 2026 Spring Webcast Audio Seminar Series titled “‘Tough But Fair’ Standards with Support: Empowering Success.”

This series is tailored for medical educators, particularly those teaching in the pre-clerkship curriculum. We’ll explore how to set ambitious, yet achievable, standards for your students, fostering the rigorous foundation future physicians need. Beyond just raising the bar, this series provides you with practical strategies to ensure your students not only meet these high expectations, but truly excel. Discover how to balance a demanding curriculum with the essential guidance that empowers the next generation of medical professionals. 

Learn More About the Spring 2026 Series

The full IAMSE Spring WAS schedule can be found on the website.

Below we look at the third week’s presentation:

Sarah Lerchenfeldt, EdD

Peer Feedback with Purpose: Upholding High Standards While Supporting Learner Growth

Presenter: Sarah Lerchenfeldt, Interim Co-Chair and Associate Professor at the Oakland William Beaumont School of Medicine
Session Date & Time: March 19, 2026, at 12:00 PM EDT
Session Description: This session will examine how peer feedback can be a powerful tool for upholding high academic and professional standards while actively promoting learner growth in pre-clerkship and early professional education. Instead of seeing rigor and learner support as opposing priorities, the session will reframe them as mutually supportive objectives that can be intentionally aligned through effective feedback practices. Based on evidence from health professions education, the session will demonstrate how structured, constructive peer feedback enhances accountability, professionalism, and self-awareness – competencies that are challenging to evaluate through traditional exams and faculty observation alone. 

Register Today!
IAMSE 2026 Spring WAS FAQ

As always, IAMSE Student Members and Trainees can register for the series
for FREE!

If you are an IAMSE student member or trainee, please contact support@iamse.org for information about registering at no cost.

IAMSE Fellowship 2026 Conference Cohort Now Accepting Applications

Posted by

IAMSE is pleased to announce that applications for the 2026 Medical Educator Fellowship (MEF) Program are now being accepted! IAMSE is once again offering members and non-members the option of beginning the MEF Program during the IAMSE 2026 Annual Conference. 

The primary goal of the MEF is to support the development of well-rounded healthcare education scholars through a program of targeted professional development and application of learned concepts to mentored research projects. The program is designed for healthcare educators from all backgrounds who wish to enhance their knowledge and productivity as educational scholars.

Please note applicants are required to have completed the Foundations of Health Professions Education Course (Foundations) OR the Essential Skills in Medical Education (ESME) Program as a prerequisite. For more detailed information about the MEF program, please visit the information on our website at http://www.iamse.org/fellowship-program/.

Applicants for the next cohort will be accepted until April 15, 2026. To submit your application, please click here. For questions about the Fellowship or how to apply, please contact support@iamse.org. We thank you for your interest and look forward to supporting you in achieving your professional goals in educational scholarship.

Thank you,
Samiksha Prasad, IAMSE Educational Scholarship Committee Chair

Apply for the 2026 MEF Program

Last Call* Ready to Transform Your Mentoring Skills? Join the IAMSE Global IM-REACH Program!

Posted by

Deadline: March 15, 2026

As a final reminder, the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) invites you to join an extraordinary journey of growth and connection through our IM-REACH Mentoring Program.

Why IM-REACH?
Whether you’re guiding learners or colleagues through their medical education journey, supporting postdocs in research breakthroughs, or helping faculty navigate career transitions, mentoring is your superpower. The program provides evidence that effective mentorship contributes to meaningful achievements that support career advancement for both mentors and mentees. 

What makes IM-REACH Special?

  • Global Community: Connect with mentors from around the world.
  • Evidence-Based Approach: Discuss proven mentoring strategies.
  • Dual Perspective: Master both sides of the mentoring relationship.
  • Real Impact: Develop a scholarly project that advances your career.

What the Year-Long IM-REACH Adventure includes:

  • Kickoff: 3-hour intensive at IAMSE 2026 Conference (in-person or virtual).
  • Expert Workshops: Bi-monthly sessions based on our acclaimed Mentoring Manual.
  • Personal Support: Bi-monthly office hours for individual guidance.
  • Scholarly Growth: Develop a meaningful project tailored to your goals.
  • Proven Results: Validated assessments track your development.

What Our Alumni Say:
“Participants appreciated the structured curriculum, relevance of content, and the balance of conceptual and practical components. The program fostered reflective practice, build mentoring confidence, and expanded cross-institutional mentoring networks.”

Ready to Elevate Your Impact?
Key Dates:

  • Apply by March 15, 2026
  • Acceptance Notification: April 1, 2026
  • Payment Due: May 1, 2026 ($500 for IAMSE members and $700 for non-members)
  • Start of Program: June 6, 2026 (virtual and in-person) – 1/2 day session.

For questions about the IM-REACH Program or how to apply, please contact support@iamse.org. We thank you for your interest and look forward to supporting you in achieving your professional goals in educational scholarship.

Apply for the 2026 IM-REACH Program

No Comments

filed under: News

#IAMSE26 Welcomes Adaira Landry, of Harvard Medical School, as Plenary Speaker

Posted by

The Annual Conference of the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) offers many opportunities for faculty development and networking and brings together medical sciences and health professions education across the continuum. This year’s theme is “Flourishing Through Change: Adaptability, Innovation, and Growth in Health Sciences Education.” Featured plenary speakers include Kimara Ellefson (Kern National Network for Flourishing in Health, United States), Dr. David Rogers (University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States), Dr. Ken Masters (Sultan Qaboos University, Oman), and Dr. Adaira Landry (Harvard Medical School, United States). 

See the Full Schedule for #IAMSE26

Dr. Adaira Landry,
Physician, Assistant Professor,
Harvard Medical School

MicroSkills to Navigate Your Career

Presented by: Dr. Adaira Landry, Harvard Medical School
Date and Time: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EDT

This lecture focuses on practical, high-impact “micro skills” — small, intentional actions that can significantly improve how you manage tasks, leverage meaningful professional relationships, and build your professional brand. By breaking down complex career challenges into manageable, actionable steps, this session equips participants with tools to increase productivity, enhance visibility, and navigate professional growth with confidence. Whether early or senior in your career, these micro skills offer tangible ways to move forward intentionally.

Click here for Landry’s Full Bio

For details on all of our plenary speakers, click here.

For more information about speakers, events, and registration, please visit www.iamseconference.org.

We hope to see you in Augusta, Georgia, USA!

Register for #IAMSE26

Newell Continues IAMSE Spring 2026 Webcast Audio Seminar Series for Week 2!

Posted by

Teach for Transfer: Using Backwards Curriculum Design to Foster Student Understanding

By Alana Newell, PhD

We are excited to welcome Dr. Alana Newell, Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, who will present Teach for Transfer: Using Backwards Curriculum Design to Foster Student Understanding. The session will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 12:00 PM EDT, for the second week of the IAMSE 2026 Spring Webcast Audio Seminar Series titled “‘Tough But Fair’ Standards with Support: Empowering Success.”

This series is tailored for medical educators, particularly those teaching in the pre-clerkship curriculum. We’ll explore how to set ambitious, yet achievable, standards for your students, fostering the rigorous foundation future physicians need. Beyond just raising the bar, this series provides you with practical strategies to ensure your students not only meet these high expectations, but truly excel. Discover how to balance a demanding curriculum with the essential guidance that empowers the next generation of medical professionals. 

Learn More About the Spring 2026 Series

The full IAMSE Spring WAS schedule can be found on the website.

Below we look at the second week’s presentation:

Alana Newell, PhD

Teach for Transfer: Using Backwards Curriculum Design to Foster
Student Understanding

Presenter: Alana Newell, Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine
Session Date & Time: March 12, 2026, at 12:00 PM EDT
Session Description: It can be difficult for faculty to create aligned learning outcomes, assessments, and instruction that promote learners’ deep understanding and ability to transfer knowledge to real world contexts. The Understanding by Design (UbD) framework offers a structured, backward approach to curriculum design that begins by defining big ideas and measurable outcomes, then moves to the development of authentic assessments and active instructional approaches. This session provides practical tips to help educators apply UbD in their own courses, including strategies for writing outcomes, designing performance-based assessments, and fostering learner-centered experiences. Participants will gain actionable skills to enhance curriculum planning and improve student engagement and competency development. 

Register Today!
IAMSE 2026 Spring WAS FAQ

As always, IAMSE Student Members and Trainees can register for the series for FREE!

If you are an IAMSE student member or trainee, please contact support@iamse.org for information about registering at no cost.

Enroll in the IAMSE Foundations Course at #IAMSE26

Posted by

In 2024, IAMSE refreshed its introductory course in educational principles, previously known as Essential Skills in Medical Education (ESME) to Foundations of Health Professions Education (to be known as the Foundations course).

With the increasing professionalization of medical education, the need for faculty in the healthcare professions to have training in educational principles is widely recognized. While many institutions worldwide offer certificate or Master’s degree courses in medical education, there is a lack of accredited basic level courses. The new Foundations course has been designed to meet the need for an entry level survey of principles in health professions education. Foundations will be of particular interest to faculty who are involved with health professions education for the first time, or who have been given some new responsibilities or assignment relating to teaching. Others will find this course useful as a refresher course or update.

The course is led by two seasoned educators and long-time IAMSE members:

Aviad Haramati, PhD, is a Professor of Physiology and Medicine, and Director of the Center for Innovation and Leadership in Education (CENTILE), at Georgetown University Medical Center. He served as IAMSE’s first president and received the Distinguished Scholar Award, as well as the Edward P. Finnerty Lifetime Achievement Award from IAMSE.

Amber J. Heck, PhD, is Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She served as Program Chair for the 2023 IAMSE Conference and received the 2020 IAMSE Early Career Award of Excellence in Teaching and Innovation.

IAMSE is pleased to offer the course, which will start Friday, June 5, 2026, at 9:00 AM EDT, a day before the Annual Conference, and it is designed to be specifically relevant to medical science educators. Successful completion of the Foundations course is a pre-requisite for the IAMSE Fellowship Program.

Additional Foundations Course details and registration information can be found by clicking here.

Don’t forget to register before the Early Bird deadline on Wednesday, April 1 to receive a discount on registration costs!

Register for #IAMSE26 Today!

Say Hello to our Featured Member Steve Garwood!

Posted by

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 Steve Garwood.

Steve Garwood, EdD, MCIS, MLS
Director of Faculty Development
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Stratford, New Jersey, USA

How long have you been a member of IAMSE?
I joined IAMSE in 2021 and began managing our institutional membership in 2022. As a Director of Faculty Development, I was very interested in ensuring that my faculty was aware of IAMSE and all the learning opportunities available. When I started my position in 2019, I was new to medical education after spending most of my career in teaching, instructional design, and higher education administration. The IAMSE WAS and Cafe sessions especially helped me get acclimated to medical education jargon and processes.

Looking at your time with the Association, what have you most enjoyed doing? What are you most looking forward to?
Two things stand out: my time working on the IAMSE Web Seminar (WAS) Committee and with the AI Community of Growth (CoG). I got interested in working on the WAS after years of registering my institution for events and receiving positive feedback from my faculty. I knew this was a group where I could make a positive contribution, and it turned out to be much more than I thought. I’ve met wonderful colleagues, helped plan multiple series, published meeting reports, and more. I’ve also really enjoyed being a member of the AI CoG and am looking forward to my new role as co-coordinator of the group. AI is having a significant impact on healthcare and healthcare education, and I’m delighted to be part of a group that’s helping us all make progress.

What interesting things are you working on outside of the Association right now?
I have a couple of articles in progress: one on the accuracy of automated speech recognition transcription in our lecture capture system, and another on teaching students to provide peer feedback. Sometimes it’s nice to take a break from AI, even though we used AI in the analysis for both of these projects. At home, I recently rooted cuttings from one of my favorite plants, a philodendron tripartitum. I love watching things grow and using plants to green up my work and living spaces. I’m really looking forward to spring and to spending time in my flower garden. 

As a member of the Program Committee, what do you most enjoy about being a part of that?
The Program Committee has been a wonderful, highly organized, and very collaborative effort. I’ve worked on large events, so I was looking forward to bringing my experience to the group. Once I arrived, I was amazed by the skills and experience in the room and by how everyone brought their best to the Committee’s work. I’ve learned so much about how the conference is organized, how decisions are made, and how the Committee and organization handle the many tasks necessary for a successful event. Will (Brooks), the Committee’s Chair, has been a wonderful leader. He’s kept us on track, managed challenges, and ensured that everyone on the Committee has a say in decisions. 

Why should people attend the IAMSE Conference this year?
I think this year’s theme, “Flourishing Through Change: Adaptability, Innovation, and Growth in Health Sciences Education,” is very timely, and we have a great agenda featuring plenary speakers, focus sessions, and oral and poster sessions. It’s always great to learn from our peers and see all the wonderful work people are doing in the healthcare education space. I think the conference will not only give us time to recharge and meet with colleagues, but also equip us with skills to persevere in these changing times. 

Anything else that you would like to add?
I’d like to give a special kudos to the IAMSE Medical Educator Fellowship (MEF) program. I completed the program this year, and the experience was extremely helpful. Everything from the Foundations of Health Professions Education program (formerly Essential Skills in Medical Education, or ESME) to the group meetings, individual meetings, and correspondence with mentors was highly professional and extremely educational. I received advice and insight from many knowledgeable individuals, and the project I worked on was published in Medical Science Educator. I highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking to develop their skills as educators, researchers, and leaders. 

#IAMSE26 Welcomes David Rogers, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as Plenary Speaker

Posted by

The Annual Conference of the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) offers many opportunities for faculty development and networking and brings together medical sciences and health professions education across the continuum. This year’s theme is “Flourishing Through Change: Adaptability, Innovation, and Growth in Health Sciences Education.” Featured plenary speakers include Kimara Ellefson (Kern National Network for Flourishing in Health, United States), Dr. David Rogers (University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States), Dr. Ken Masters (Sultan Qaboos University, Oman), and Dr. Adaira Landry (Harvard Medical School, United States). 

See the Full Schedule for #IAMSE26

Dr. David Rogers,
Chief Wellness Officer,
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Future Flourishing: A Proposal for Health Sciences Learner Leadership Development

Presented by: Dr. David Rogers, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Date and Time: Monday, June 8, 2026, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM EDT

It is well established that leaders have a substantial impact on the collective well-being of their teams, which affects team function. However, most healthcare team leaders have not received preparation for their leadership role beyond their own experiences. This deficit in leadership preparation represents a gap in education that could be remedied with a properly designed curriculum. This presentation is a proposal for a leadership development program for early-stage health education learners based on the available literature and the presenter’s experience in healthcare leadership development. Particular attention is given to the unique role that health sciences educators can play in cultivating foundational leadership skills that support learners’ flourishing as future team leaders and members.

Click here for Rogers’ Full Bio

For details on all of our plenary speakers, click here.

For more information about speakers, events, and registration, please visit www.iamseconference.org.

We hope to see you in Augusta, Georgia, USA!

Register for #IAMSE26

IAMSE CoG Meetings – March 2026

Posted by

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, and all CoGs are open to all. For more information on IAMSE CoGs, click here.

The AI CoG, CORE CoG, and Nutrition and Health Promotion CoG will all be meeting in March! Below are the details for each meeting. Please note that CoG Zoom links, meeting IDs, and passcodes have changed from what they have previously been. The updated links are listed below.

AI CoG

The AI CoG meeting on Zoom will take place at Noon (12 PM) EST on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. 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 March AI CoG meeting, we will meet to explore our members’ current use of AI and have a robust discussion around the Freakonomics podcast episode – “Can A.I. Save Your Life?” featuring author, Robert Wachter, of the newly released book “A Giant Leap: How AI is Transforming Healthcare and What That Means for Our Future.” Our full agenda can be viewed at AI CoG 3/4/26 Agenda.

We will also have announcements/updates from:

  • Drs. Leah Hammer and Carmel McNicholas-Bevensee on the AI Learning Collaboratives.
  • Drs. Mari Hopper and Mark Hernandez on the AI Tools Application Workshops.

To join the March AI CoG Zoom meeting, click here.
Meeting ID: 966 6621 1082
Passcode: 361577

CORE CoG

The Community Outreach, Research, and Engagement (CORE) CoG meeting will take place at 3:00 PM EDT on Thursday, March 12, 2026. CORE CoG meetings then take place regularly every other month on either Monday or Thursday at 11:00 AM ET or 3:00 PM ET. Dates and times may vary. the CORE CoG is led by Peter Vollbrecht and Natascha Heise.

The topic of the March CORE CoG meeting will be Member Highlight-Research. Amanda Wewer and Madison Laid, medical students at the WMU homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, will present “Early Engagement: Community Health Screenings and Their Impact on Medical Student Empathy and Attitudes Toward Homelessness.”

To join the March CORE CoG Zoom meeting, click here.
Meeting ID: 940 7015 6397
Passcode: 086440

Nutrition and Health Promotion CoG

The Nutrition and Health Promotion CoG meeting will take place at 12:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. 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 March Nutrition and Health Promotion CoG meeting, click here.
Meeting ID: 971 1050 9261
Passcode: 111766

Blackall, Haas to Lead Off IAMSE Spring 2026 Webcast Audio Seminar Series for Week 1!

Posted by

What Really Matters: Student Perspectives on Exceptional Teaching

By George Blackall, PsyD, MBA, ABPP
Alec Haas, MD

We are excited to welcome Dr. George Blackall, Vice President, Professor and Vice Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, Penn State College of Medicine, and Dr. Alec Haas, General Surgeon, Metrohealth, who will present What Really Matters: Student Perspectives on Exceptional Teaching. The session will take place on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST, for the first week of the IAMSE 2026 Spring Webcast Audio Seminar Series titled “‘Tough But Fair’ Standards with Support: Empowering Success.”

This series is tailored for medical educators, particularly those teaching in the pre-clerkship curriculum. We’ll explore how to set ambitious, yet achievable, standards for your students, fostering the rigorous foundation future physicians need. Beyond just raising the bar, this series provides you with practical strategies to ensure your students not only meet these high expectations, but truly excel. Discover how to balance a demanding curriculum with the essential guidance that empowers the next generation of medical professionals. 

Learn More About the Spring 2026 Series

The full IAMSE Spring WAS schedule can be found on the website.

Below we look at the first week’s presentation:

George Blackall, PsyD, MBA, ABPP

Alec Haas, MD

What Really Matters: Student Perspectives on Exceptional Teaching

Presenters: George Blackall, Professor and Vice Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, Penn State College of Medicine, and Alec Haas, General Surgeon, Metrohelth
Session Date & Time: March 5, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST
Session Description: A silver lining in medical mistreatment? Sounds ridiculous, but that is exactly what happened at the Penn State College of Medicine. In this session, you will learn:

  1. How a learner mistreatment problem fueled system-wide change.
  2. How focusing on eliminating learner mistreatment wasn’t enough.
  3. How shifting the focus to highlighting exceptional teaching engaged learners and leaders.
  4. How analyzing a database of over 3,000 student narratives on exceptional teaching led to three key themes for medical educators to use as a guide to exceptional teaching.
  5. The belief that today’s students don’t want to be challenged is a myth.
  6. Strategies for faculty to engage learners in ways they find to be challenging, effective, and rewarding.
Register Today!
IAMSE 2026 Spring WAS FAQ

As always, IAMSE Student Members and Trainees can register for the series
for FREE!

If you are an IAMSE student member or trainee, please contact support@iamse.org for information about registering at no cost.