Issue Six - September 19, 2002
Permanent Validation of Standard ECFMG Certificate
Two of the examination dates on the Standard ECFMG Certificate are subject to expiration for the purpose of entering graduate medical education programs. The English test date is valid for two years from the most recent date of passing performance. The Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA®) date is valid for three years from the most recent date of passing performance. After you enter a program of graduate medical education in the United States that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), you can request permanent validation of your Standard ECFMG Certificate. This means that the English test and CSA dates will no longer be subject to expiration. If you have entered an ACGME-accredited program, you should make your request for permanent validation now.
To receive the appropriate "Valid Indefinitely" sticker for the certificate, you and an authorized official of your training institution must complete the "Request for Permanent Validation of Standard ECFMG Certificate" (Form 246) and send it to ECFMG. ECFMG sends the "Request for Permanent Validation of Standard ECFMG Certificate" (Form 246) with every Standard ECFMG Certificate. The form is also available on this website.
After ECFMG receives and verifies the information contained on the form, the appropriate sticker indicating "Valid Indefinitely" status will be mailed to you. You should attach the sticker to your Standard ECFMG Certificate, following the instructions that accompany the sticker. Each sticker is unique and includes the same Identification Number that is on your Standard ECFMG Certificate.
ECFMG urges you to complete and submit the "Request for Permanent Validation of Standard ECFMG Certificate" (Form 246) as soon as possible after you have started an ACGME-accredited program of graduate medical education in the United States. This will insure that your Standard ECFMG Certificate reflects its "Valid Indefinitely" status should you wish to apply to another graduate medical education program or for a license to practice medicine in a state in the United States, for which a valid Standard ECFMG Certificate is required.
FAIMER® Institute Selects Fellows for 2002
Twelve international medical educators representing South America, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa have been selected as 2002 Fellows for the Institute of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER). FAIMER is a separate, non-profit foundation of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
The FAIMER Institute is designed for international medical school faculty who have the potential to play key roles in improving medical education at their schools. The program serves two main purposes, to: (1) provide participants with the tools and skills to serve as resources for their individual institutions, and (2) create an environment for cross-cultural exchange of medical educational expertise and experiences. The ultimate goal is to improve the health of local communities by improving medical education programs. The program will help Fellows develop curricula uniquely appropriate to their own medical schools and communities.
The one-year program, which begins in October, includes two residential sessions in the United States and an intersession project at the Fellow's home institution. Program Co-Directors, William P. Burdick, M.D. and Page S. Morahan, Ph.D., along with faculty of the Institute's academic partner, the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and other invited faculty will teach education methods, leadership skills, and development of professional relationships among participants. A problem-based approach will be employed for many sessions, using participant projects as a starting point for discussions, followed by participant-centered sessions staffed by experts to address specific issues.
Participants will develop knowledge and skills in a wide range of educational concepts, such as problem-based learning, adult learning theory, lecturing, and use of computers in education. Other educational topics in the curriculum include clinical skills teaching and assessment, faculty development, student assessment, laboratory use, educational materials, and audio-visual techniques.
Fellows will also learn methods for effective organizational leadership and will have significant opportunities to network with educational leaders from around the world in the field of medicine and other specialties. Leadership skills addressed will include personal leadership style assessment, program evaluation, project management, conflict management, governance structure, strategic planning, and use of web-based tools for communication.
The program's unique emphasis on development of professional networks will be encouraged through its residential setting, use of small group learning and discussion, and informal sessions designed to introduce participants to world leaders in medical education. Collaboration among Fellows in the intersession period and after the conclusion of the program will be facilitated by web-based communication tools. In October, the incoming 2002 Fellows will join the Class of 2001 Fellows as the 2001 class completes their final session. When the 2002 Fellows complete their final session next year, they will meet the incoming Class of 2003. These opportunities for interaction between classes of Fellows create a network of international medical educators which contributes to improvement of medical education around the world.
Selection for the positions in this year's program was highly competitive. Applicants represented 65 respected academic institutions from South America, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, the three regions of eligibility for this year's Institute. These applicants represented more than 20 specialties and a range of mid- to senior-level academic and administrative rankings. The competitive application process has resulted in a class of Fellows with outstanding medical education credentials.
The FAIMER Institute Class of 2002 includes Fellows from the following institutions:
- Aga Khan Medical College, Pakistan
- De La Salle University College of Medicine, Philippines
- Gondar College Of Medical Sciences, Ethiopia
- Seth G.S. Medical College, India
- Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia
- Universidad de Los Andes, Chile
- Universidade Federal do Ceara, Brazil
- Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
- Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
- University of Ibadan, Nigeria
- University of Lagos, Nigeria
- University Of Stellenbosch, South Africa
FAIMER and ECFMG are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Institute's residential settings are also held in Philadelphia. For additional information about the Institute and the application process, visit the FAIMER home page.