Issue Nine - October 9, 2003
FAIMER® Institute 2003: International Medical Educators Develop Skills in Curriculum Change, Education Methods, Leadership, and Professional Networking
Twelve international medical educators representing South America, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa have been selected as 2003 Fellows for the Institute of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER). FAIMER is a 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 2003 Fellows will join the Class of 2002 Fellows as the 2002 class completes its final session. When the 2003 Fellows complete their final session next year, they will meet the incoming Class of 2004. These opportunities for interaction between classes of Fellows create a network of international medical educators which contributes to improvement in medical education around the world.
Selection for the positions in this year's program was highly competitive. Applicants represented approximately 100 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 2003 Fellows are:
| Eliana Amaral, M.D., Ph.D. | Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Universidade Estadual De Campinas, Brazil |
| Sekelani Banda, B.Sc., M.B.Ch.B., M.Sc., M.Med. | Department of Medical Education Development, University of Zambia, Zambia |
| Elena Barragan, M.D., Ph.D. | Department of Biomedicine, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Argentina |
| Solomon Genet, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. | Department of Biochemistry, Jimma University, Ethiopia |
| Muhammad Z. Khan, M.D. | Center for Medical Education, Baqai Medical & Dental College, Pakistan |
| Ahuka Ona Longombe, M.D., Ph.D. | Department of Surgery, Universite De Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Samuel Luboga, M.B.Ch.B., M.Med., Ph.D. | Department of Anatomy, Makerere University, Uganda |
| Charles Mkony, M.D., M.Med. | Department of Surgery, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, Tanzania |
| Vivek Saoji, M.B.B.S., M.S. | Department of Surgery, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College, India |
| Tejinder Singh, M.B.B.S., M.D., PGDHE | Department of Pediatrics, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, India |
| Huseyin Cahit Taskiran, M.D. | Department of Medical Education, Dokuz Eylul Universitesi, Turkey |
| Rashmi Vyas, M.B.B.S., M.D. | Department of Physiology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India |
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 at www.faimer.org.