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 Sateesh Arja.
Sateesh Arja, M.B.B.S., PhD, MHPE, MSPH, PFHEA, FAMEE, FIAMSE, FAcadMEd
Professor of Clinical Skills and Medical Education
Dean of the School of Medicine
Avalon University School of Medicine
Curacao
How long have you been a member of IAMSE?
I have been a member of IAMSE since 2018. Over the years, I have actively participated in IAMSE events, contributing to medical education through research, collaboration, and professional development.
Looking at your time with the Association, what have you most enjoyed doing? What are you looking forward to?
I have been actively involved with the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) since 2018. Since then, I have served as an abstract reviewer for all IAMSE annual conferences and presented oral and poster presentations at these conferences. I am scheduled to co-present a workshop on “Mixed Methods in Health Science Educational Research” at the IAMSE Annual Conference in 2025. I also completed the IAMSE Fellowship Program, further solidifying my dedication to medical science education and active participation in IAMSE initiatives. I was one of the Ambassadors from the inaugural group of IAMSE Ambassadors representing the Caribbean region. I have also been on the IAMSE Board of Directors since 2022. However, I enjoyed working on different committees of IAMSE, including the Educational Scholarship Committee, Public Affairs Committee, and Ambassador Committee the most.
What interesting things are you working on outside of the Association right now?
I am one of the site-visiting team members for the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). I did five site visits to different Caribbean medical schools on behalf of CAAM-HP. I am also one of the ambassadors for the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME) accreditation recognition program. I did one site visit on behalf of WFME. I have been elected President of the Accreditation Agency of Curacao (AAC) since 2020. In addition, I am a member of the AMEE Fellowship Committee and a member of the International Social Accountability and Accreditation Steering Committee Research Group.
As a member of the IAMSE Ambassador Committee, what do you most enjoy about being a part of that?
I enjoy being a part of the IAMSE Ambassador Committee because it allows me to contribute to the global expansion of IAMSE’s mission in medical education. I value the opportunity to collaborate with educators from diverse backgrounds, foster international connections, and promote innovative teaching practices. Being an ambassador also enables me to support professional development initiatives and mentor aspiring educators, which I find highly rewarding.
As an Associate Editor for Medical Science Educator as well, what do you most enjoy about being a part of MSE and the journal process?
As an Associate Editor for Medical Science Educator, I genuinely enjoy being a part of a platform that fosters innovation and excellence in medical education. The journal serves as a valuable medium for sharing evidence-based teaching strategies, emerging trends, and best practices that shape the future of medical education worldwide. One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is collaborating with authors, reviewers, and fellow editors to ensure high-quality contributions that have a meaningful impact on educators and learners. I appreciate the rigorous yet constructive peer-review process, which maintains the integrity of published research and helps authors refine their work.
Additionally, staying engaged with the latest advancements in medical education research allows me to continuously learn and apply new insights to my academic and professional endeavors. Overall, being a Medical Science Educator is a fulfilling experience that will enable me to contribute to the growth and evolution of medical education.
Anything else that you would like to add?
I have been a faculty and administrative member at Avalon University School of Medicine since 2007 and have served the university in various capacities. I am currently working as a Professor of Clinical Skills and Medical Education. I also serve as the Chair of the Medical Education Unit. As the Dean of the School of Medicine, I lead curriculum development, develop and implement academic policies, faculty development, and liaison with government officials. I play a significant role in strategic planning, quality control, and quality assurance activities at Avalon University.