News

#IAMSE23 Registration is NOW OPEN

We are pleased to announce that registration for the 27th Annual Meeting of IAMSE, to be held June 10 – 13, 2023 in Cancun, Mexico is now open. At this annual meeting of the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) faculty, staff, and students from around the world who are interested in health science education join together in faculty development and networking opportunities. Sessions on curriculum development, assessment, and simulation are among the common topics available at the meeting.

Featured plenary speakers include Professor Kara Caruthers (Meharry Medical College, USA), Dr. Michelle Daniel (University of California San Diego School of Medicine, USA), Dr. Anique de Bruin (Maastricht University, The Netherlands), and Dr. Ricardo Leon-Borquez (World Federation for Medical Education).

Additional meeting details and registration can be found at www.iamseconference.org.

#IAMSECafe Archives

IAMSE Cafe Virtual Sessions

2026
1/20/2026 – Insights into the CBSE and CBSSA Exams with NBME with Francis O’Donnell & Nicholas Cowling
2/3/2026 – MD in 3: Accelerated Pathways in Medical Education with Joan Cangiarella
2/17/2026 – Incorporating Humanities in Medical Education with Anna Ricci & Rebecca Volpe 
3/3/2026 – IAMSE 2026 Conference Preview with Will Brooks

 

 

Say Hello to Our Featured Member 2019 Annual Meeting Site Host Rick Vari

Our association is a robust and diverse set of educators, 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 our 2019 annual meeting site host, IAMSE President Rick Vari.



Rick Vari, PhD
Professor & Senior Dean for Academic Affairs
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Roanoke, Virginia, USA

Why was the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine the right choice for the 2019 IAMSE meeting?
We are the right choice for the meeting this year because we did a fabulous conference several years ago and we were already in the queue for a future IAMSE meeting. We had some scheduling issues with our original site for 2019 and we were able to step in and fill the void. We have a wonderful hotel site (at the Hotel Roanoke), and the people who came from all across North America for the Collaborating Across Borders V: An American-Canadian Dialogue on Interprofessional Healthcare and Practice, in 2015 really enjoyed it. As a relatively new medical school, we are excited about continuing our growing success in medical education; hosting the IAMSE meeting is a real honor for us.

What opportunities will attendees see in Roanoke that they’ve not seen in years past?
Roanoke is a beautiful city to have a conference. We’ve localized the venue, which is a major goal for IAMSE. Attendees and exhibitors will appreciate the layout of the conference site. We are adjacent to the Roanoke Market Square with restaurants, breweries, and shopping featuring local items. There are just lots of opportunities for networking and entertainment. The program is outstanding with presentations and sessions on current and future challenges facing health sciences educators. International abstract submission is up, so more colleagues from other parts of the world may be attending. Increased student participation will be another highlight. This year, IAMSE is also hosting a Taste of Roanoke Street Fair which will replace the annual gala dinner. IAMSE 2019 is going to be a very easy conference to attend. If you can stay for the Grand Extravaganza on Tuesday afternoon it is going to be very special with a hiking trip to a beautiful location on the Blue Ridge Parkway and a visit to the Ballast Point brewery (East Coast operation) for dinner. 

Can you tell me more about this new event?
We are blocking off the Market Square in downtown Roanoke. We will have tastes of local food, beverages, and music. This is a chance to interact in a casual fun setting with lots of local food and a live band! It’s going to be a lot of fun.

What session or speaker are you most looking forward to this year?
I’m looking forward to, of course, the Board of Directors and Committee Chairs meeting.  I’ve enjoyed being president and interacting with the Board and Committee Chairs in this planning session provides IAMSE with a sense of solid direction.  The plenary sessions also look very strong. I’m interested in the Gen Z session (Generation Z: The New Kids on the Block) and How to Use Disruptive Technology to Make Education Better – Not Just Different.

It sounds likes there is much to look forward to this year. Anything else you’d like to share?
The local response from the other medical schools in the area in support of the IAMSE meeting in Roanoke has been very strong.  As a new school, this is a tremendous opportunity for us and the other medical schools in the area to get better acquainted.

To learn more about the 2019 IAMSE Annual Meeting, including the plenary speakers, workshops and networking opportunities, or to register, please visitwww.IAMSEconference.org.

Reserve your spot before March 15 to ensure the Early Bird Discount!

IAMSE at GRIPE 2019 in New Orleans

The IAMSE booth will be exhibiting at the annual winter meeting of the Group for Research in Pathology Education (GRIPE) in New Orleans, LA on January 24-26, 2019. IAMSE Association Manager Julie Hewett will also be delivering a pre-conference workshop titled, “Using Social Media to Disseminate Your Scholarly Work.” If you plan on attending this meeting, don’t miss this session and do not forget to swing by the IAMSE booth and say hello!

Information on the GRIPE Meeting can be found here. We look forward to seeing you there!

Registration for the 23rd Annual IAMSE Meeting is Now Open!

We are pleased to announce that registration for the 23rd Annual Meeting of IAMSE, to be held June 8-11, 2019 in Roanoke, VA, USA, is now open. At this annual meeting of the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) faculty, staff and students from around the world who are interested in medical science education join together in faculty development and networking opportunities. Sessions on curriculum development, assessment and simulation are among the common topics available at the annual meetings.


Featured plenary speakers include Don Cleveland, Claudia Krebs, Craig Lenz and Geoff Talmon.


Additional meeting details and registration can be found at http://www.iamseconference.org.

Muenks to Continue IAMSE Spring 2026 Webcast Audio Seminar Series for Week 4!

Faculty/Instructor Mindset Beliefs

By Katherine Muenks, PhD, BS

We are excited to welcome Dr. Katherine Muenks, Associate Professor and Louise Spence Griffeth Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin, who will present Faculty/Instructor Mindset Beliefs. The session will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 12:00 PM EDT, for the fourth 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 fourth week’s presentation:

Katherine Muenks, PhD, BS

Faculty/Instructor Mindset Beliefs

Presenter: Katherine Muenks, Associate Professor and Louise Spence Griffeth Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin
Session Date & Time: March 26, 2026, at 12:00 PM EDT
Session Description: In this talk, I will discuss my research on faculty mindsets, including evidence that these mindsets matter for students’ psychological and academic outcomes, ways in which faculty communicate and their mindsets to students, and implications for teaching practice. 

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.

Reminder* Apply for the New AI in Health Professions Education Course!

Deadline: April 1, 2026

As a reminder, we are excited to announce that the IAMSE Board of Directors has approved the AI in Health Professions Education (AI in HPE) Course, a comprehensive, six-month professional development program that guides health professions educators from foundational AI skillsto real-world implementation at their home institutions. 

Applications are now open for our inaugural cohort of 25 participants, who will begin the program at the IAMSE 2026 Annual Conference in June. 

Course Enrollment Options:

There will be two standalone AI Professional Development Workshops (PDWS) as pre-conference sessions.

  • PDWS 1: AI Foundations & Tool Exploration (3 hours)
  • PDWS 2: Advanced Applications in Health Professions Education (3 hours)

These workshops can be attended individually as standalone sessions. Educators who want targeted AI Skill development can register for either or both through the pre-conference workshop system.

The AI Foundations and Advanced Applications workshops serve as the required in-person foundation for the new comprehensive AI in HPE Course. The full course adds:

  • Workshop 3: Implementation Skills Lab (virtual, 3 hours | October 2026)
  • Mentored Implementation Project (3-6 months with structured support)
  • Office hours and 1-on-1 consultations with course directors and selected faculty
  • AI Community of Growth integration for ongoing peer support

Total course commitment: 30-35 hours.

Limited to 25 participants: Application-based selection.

Application Requirements:

  • 500-word project proposal describing an educational opportunity and proposed AI application.
  • Professional bio highlighting your educational role.
  • Confirmation that you will attend (or have attended*) the prerequisite Workshops 1 & 2.
    * Participants that attended the 2025 inaugural AI in HPE Professional Development Workshops are welcome to apply.

Course Fee: Certificate of Advanced Completion (3 workshops + project): $675 USD.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, April 1, 2026. All successful applicants will be notified by May 1, 2026.

Click here to learn more and apply. For any questions, contact support@iamse.org.

We look forward to building together.

Click Here for More information on the AI in Health Professions Education Course
Apply for the AI in Health Professions Education Course!

IAMSE 2026 Virtual Forum Information

IAMSE is pleased to invite you to join us for the Fifth Annual IAMSE Virtual Forum. The Forum will take place October 20-22, 2026. Join us as we engage with a diverse network of international health science educators to gain insights from the global community.

Presentation Descriptions

  • Ignite talk: Throughout the forum, there will be three ignite talks. These sessions are intended to be highly interactive to ignite and inspire discussions around key ideas or emerging topics. Ignite Presenters are selected by the Virtual Forum Program Committee.
  • Lightning Talks: These short sessions, 7-minute presentations with 7-minutes of questions and answers, provide all scholars with a chance to share their works including works in process.

Important Deadlines

July 31, 2026 – Lightning Talk Abstract Deadline
August 2026 – Registration Open!
September 1, 2026 – Lightning Talk Notification Deadline
September 15, 2026 – Early Bird Deadline
September 15, 2026 – Presenter Registration Deadline*
October 2026 – Presentation Schedule Finalized
October 20-22, 2026 – IAMSE 2026 Virtual Forum

*Any presenter who is not registered by this date will have their name pulled from the forum program. If the presenter is the only presenter listed, their session will be pulled from the forum program.

Tentative Forum Schedule

Schedule subject to change, the finalized schedule will be listed on the Virtual Forum registration website when it opens later this year

DateSessionStart Time (EDT)End Time (EDT)
Tuesday, October 20, 2026Virtual Help Desk9:00 AM9:30 AM
Tuesday, October 20, 2026IAMSE Spotlight9:45 AM10:00 AM
Tuesday, October 20, 2026Ignite Talk10:00 AM11:00 AM
Tuesday, October 20, 2026Break11:00 AM11:15 AM
Tuesday, October 20, 2026IAMSE Spotlight11:15 AM11:30 AM
Tuesday, October 20, 2026Lightning Talks11:30 AM12:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20, 2026Break12:30 PM1:00 PM
Tuesday, October 20, 2026IAMSE Spotlight1:00 PM1:15 PM
Tuesday, October 20, 2026Lightning Talks1:15 PM2:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026Virtual Help Desk8:00 AM8:30 AM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026IAMSE Spotlight8:45 AM9:00 AM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026Lightning Talks9:00 AM10:00 AM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026Break10:00 AM10:15 AM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026IAMSE Spotlight10:15 AM10:30 AM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026Ignite Talk10:30 AM11:30 AM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026Break11:30 AM12:00 PM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026IAMSE Spotlight12:00 PM12:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026Lightning Talks12:15 PM1:15 PM
Thursday, October 22, 2026Virtual Help Desk9:00 AM9:30 AM
Thursday, October 22, 2026IAMSE Spotlight9:45 AM10:00 AM
Thursday, October 22, 2026Lightning Talks10:00 AM11:00 AM
Thursday, October 22, 2026Break11:00 AM11:15 AM
Thursday, October 22, 2026IAMSE Spotlight11:15 AM11:30 AM
Thursday, October 22, 2026Lightning Talks11:30 AM12:30 PM
Thursday, October 22, 2026Break12:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday, October 22, 2026IAMSE Spotlight1:00 PM1:15 PM
Thursday, October 22, 2026Ignite Talk1:15 PM2:15 PM
Thursday, October 22, 2026Virtual Forum Close2:15 PM2:30 PM
Are you in a different time zone? Click here to see what time the sessions will be for you!

Registration Fees

All prices listed are in USD.

Registration TypeBefore September 15, 11:59 PM EDTAfter September 16, 12:00 PM EDT
Member$125$175
Non-Member$175$225
Student Member$45$60
Student Non-Member$60$75
Trainee$85$115
Trainee Non-Member$115$145

Don’t Miss These Focus Sessions at #IAMSE26!

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

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!

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

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!

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

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

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!

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

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!

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.