College of Medicine’s Society of Teaching Scholars rewards outstanding faculty educators

To produce the best possible physicians, a medical school must first provide the best possible teachers.

That’s the philosophy behind the Society of Teaching Scholars, a new leadership organization at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine dedicated to improving medical education and enhancing the college’s reputation for teaching excellence.

“Our medical education program is outstanding nationally in terms of continuous curriculum renewal, mission-based budgeting, and use of standardized patients, patient simulators, self-teaching software and other innovations,” said Robert T. Watson, M.D., the college’s senior associate dean for educational affairs. “The Society of Teaching Scholars is another way we can benefit our faculty, students and their patients.”

Founded in 2000 and currently numbering 17 members, the society places UF in the company of Harvard and a few other elite medical colleges with similar programs, said Kyle E. Rarey, Ph.D., associate dean for program evaluation and development and chairman of the society.

“The society is a way to foster the entire teaching corps in the College of Medicine, who continue to seek new means of instruction and learning, and better ways to evaluate student competence,” Rarey said.

Besides sponsoring the college’s annual Medical Education Week and Medical Education Banquet events, the society provides mentors for junior faculty and advises the College of Medicine Education Center, which includes innovative programs such as the Office of Medical Informatics and the Harrell Professional Education and Assessment Center.

Together with the college’s Office of Continuing Medical Education and Faculty Development, the society supports a formal faculty development program, Master Educators in Medical Education, Rarey said. The 18-month program has three components — leadership skills, research, and training in education theory and practice.

This fall, the society will choose a new large-scale project to pursue, to significantly expand its services to the college, said Watson, who helped found the society, along with Rarey and Timothy VanSusteren, Ph.D., associate dean for continuing medical education and faculty development.

College of Medicine Dean C. Craig Tisher, M.D., has been instrumental in the society’s continued growth, supporting its activities as part of a collegewide effort to reward exemplary teachers, Watson said.

Each spring, the society accepts up to two inductees. Candidates, nominated by others or applying on their own, must meet eligibility requirements and submit an educational portfolio covering 12 areas, including teaching experience and scholarship, leadership activities, professional recognition and personal goals.

The society’s sole Jacksonville-based member is Elisa Zenni, M.D., an associate professor of pediatrics who recently was selected as chairwoman-elect of the society. Zenni sees her new position as an opportunity to encourage interaction among faculty members.

Rarey said the society will strive to serve the faculty on both campuses.

“The teaching faculty as a group want to provide our students with the best instruction we can,” he said. “We’re learners, too — we’re continually implementing innovative methods of instruction and learning, and being appropriate role models for our students. Whatever we ask of them, we want to do a little more.”