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).
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!
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!
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.
How does peer feedback/evaluation shape teamwork and learning in medical education? Lerchenfeldt et al. explore this question through a rich qualitative lens from medical students and residents, uncovering how students experience giving and receiving feedback in team-based learning (TBL)
In TBL, students collaborate closely to solve problems and apply knowledge together. Peer feedback is a cornerstone of this process, designed to foster accountability, communication, and professional growth. But while students recognize its value, they also face challenges – especially around giving honest feedback or managing uncomfortable group dynamics.
Through interviews and focus groups, the researchers found that effective peer feedback can enhance trust, improve teamwork, and deepen self-reflection. When done well, it encourages students to take ownership of their learning and helps teams function more cohesively. However, when feedback is vague or overly cautious, its benefits are limited.
The authors found that peer feedback – when thoughtfully integrated – can transform TBL into a dynamic space for growth. It helps students develop not only academic competence, but also the communication and collaboration skills essential for future healthcare professionals.
It is essential to read the full article if any medical educators are interested in applying peer feedback or evaluation in their teaching or curricula. Because when and how to apply peer feedback varies by program and institution, it is necessary to consider contextual factors to best fit your program.
Qing Zhong, M.D., PhD Professor of Pharmacology Department of Biomedical Science Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
As a reminder, the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) is pleased to once again accept applications for the IAMSE-ScholarRx Student Educational Research Grant Program.
Students must be members of IAMSE to be eligible to apply for this grant. Applications must include a faculty mentor letter of support confirming adherence to all grant policies and an institutional letter confirming funding for the student to present project results at the IAMSE Conference within three years of the award date. Up to four (4) student grants will be awarded for up to $2,500 USD each.
Applications are to be submitted through the form found here by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on January 15, 2026.
All information regarding the IAMSE-ScholarRx Student Educational Research Grant Program, including the application and submission instructions, eligibility, application template, and evaluation criteria can be found on the IAMSE website here.
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 Sandra Haudek.
Sandra Haudek, MSc, PhD Associate Professor Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Huffington Department of Education, Innovation, and Technology School of Medicine, Office of Curriculum Office of Faculty Development Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Texas, USA
How long have you been a member of IAMSE? My first IAMSE meeting was 2017 in Burlington, Virginia, and I immediately signed up for more. With a background as a trained basic scientist, I was impressed by the quality, breadth, and depth of the educational research and scholarship presented, as well as the opportunity to meet incredibly talented and gracious individuals. Since then, IAMSE has become my professional home and a defining part of my academic journey.
Looking at your time with the Association, what have you most enjoyed doing? What are you most looking forward to? What I enjoy most is the sense of community and collaboration that IAMSE fosters. Serving on committees, moderating in-person and virtual sessions, and presenting at conferences have allowed me to connect with inspiring educators and scholars worldwide. The first committee role was with the Webcast Audio Seminar Committee, where I helped organize focused series, invited speakers, and wrote session summaries, a rewarding experience I still cherish. Chairing the Onboarding Committee has been equally meaningful, as it allows me to welcome new members and help them engage with the Association. Looking ahead, I am excited to create even more opportunities for networking, engagement, and mentorship across our global community. My goals is to ensure IAMSE continues to be a place where every member feels connected, valued, and inspired.
What interesting things are you working on outside of the Association right now? At Baylor College of Medicine, I served as Chair of the School of Medicine Curriculum Committee and currently serve as Director of the Foundational Sciences Curriculum, where I helped design, implement, and oversee new medical curriculum, including innovative assessment strategies. I also lead the faculty development initiatives, such as the Peer Coaching for Educators and Research Mentoring programs. As former Vice Chair of Faculty Development in my department, I supported colleagues in achieving awards and promotions. In addition, I maintain a teaching appointment at the Vienna University of Technology, Austria, reflecting my commitment to international collaboration. These roles allow me to continuously learn and grow by integrating best practices in education while advancing both faculty and student success.
As the Chair of the IAMSE Onboarding Committee, what do you most enjoy about leading that committee? Leading the Onboarding Committee is deeply fulfilling because it focuses on creating a welcoming environment for new members, whether through our New Member Lunch at annual conferences or virtual engagement during the “IAMSE 101 – Getting to Know Your Association” seminar. I particularly enjoyed developing and implementing the BINGO game at the annual conference, which added a fun and interactive element to networking. I value helping individuals feel included and welcomed from the start, as onboarding is a critical step toward fostering long-term engagement and belonging within IAMSE.
Anything else that you would like to add? IAMSE has given me mentorship, friendships, and a global network that continues to shape my perspective and passion for medical education. Receiving the IAMSE Distinguished Career Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship was a career highlight and inspires me to give back even more. IAMSE offers opportunities for collaboration, professional growth, and exposure to innovative educational research, while its global reach brings diverse perspectives and a shared mission that fosters belonging and purpose. My goal is to help advance IAMSE’s strategic priorities, so every member feels supported, connected, and empowered to contribute.
IAMSE Communities of Growth (CoGs) are ongoing groups of like-minded individuals who want to informally get together to connect over an area or topic of interest. A Community of Growth is not directly connected to any Committee and is self-organized. For more information on IAMSE CoGs, click here.
The AI CoG will be the only one meeting in December! Below are the details for the meeting. Please note that CoG Zoom links, meeting IDs, and passcodes have changed from what they have previously been. The updated links are listed below.
AI CoG
The AI CoG meeting on Zoom will take place at Noon (12 PM) EST on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. IAMSE AI CoG meetings take place regularly at 12 PM ET on the first Wednesday of each month. For information on how to join the AI CoG, email Doug McKell at douglas.mckell@gmail.com.
The December AI CoG meeting will feature Dr. Thomas Thesen, of the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, presenting AI Patient Actor 2.0: An Open-Access Scalable Tool for Teaching Applied Clinical Reasoning in Basic Science Courses. Traditional preclerkship case-based learning often presents students with pre-compiled patient histories, limiting opportunities to develop the clinical reasoning and communication skills essential for patient care. The AI Patient Actor 2.0 is a freely available, large language model-powered application that enables students to practice authentic patient encounters in a safe, scalable learning environment.
To join the December AI CoG Zoom meeting, click here. Meeting ID: 966 6621 1082 Passcode: 361577
The International Association of Medical Science Educators (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 completing the MEF Program 100% virtually, from any location around the globe.
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 that as a prerequisite, applicants are required to have completed the IAMSE Foundations of Health Professions Education Course (Foundations), previously known as the Essential Skills in Medical Education (ESME) course. For more detailed information about the IAMSE Foundations Course, please visit the information on our website by clicking here.
Applications for the next cohort will be accepted until December 5, 2025. To submit your application, fill out this application form. As part of the application form, you will need to upload your IAMSE Foundations Course or ESME Course Completion Certificate and your CV.
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.
IAMSE is pleased to announce that registration is NOW OPEN for the Winter 2026 Webcast Audio Seminar Series! The Winter 2026 Series is titled “From Hype to Reality: AI’s Rapid Transformation of Health Sciences Professions Education.” Join us at 12:00 PM EST Thursday, January 8, 15, 22, 29, and February 5, 2026.
From Hype to Reality: AI’s Rapid Transformation of Health-Sciences Professions Education Join us for this five-session Winter WAS series that will examine evidence-based applications, assessment of knowledge/skills, human factors in AI adoption, autonomous AI agents for teaching and administration, and policy and competency frameworks for faculty and students.
Presentations will focus on practical examples, emerging risks, and actionable strategies faculty can use now to design learning, assessment, and support systems to prepare students for a learning and practice environment transformed by AI. This series is intended for basic-science and clinical educators seeking forward-looking, implementable guidance.
Questions regarding the registration process, specifically for institutions, or other FAQs about the Winter 2026 Series can be found by clicking here.
From Hype to Reality: AI’s Rapid Transformation of Health Sciences Professions Education
Join us for each one-hour session beginning Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 12 PM EST. Sessions in the Winter 2026 Series include:
January 8, 2026, 12:00 PM EST – Synergistic Learning: Integrating AI and Web Applications for Enhanced Medical Training, presented by Delison Elgui de Oliveira, San Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu School of Medicine, and Antonio Rusiñol, Quillen College of Medicine.
January 15, 2026, 12:00 PM EST – Applied Intelligence: Integrating AI Technologies Into Medical Education, presented by Laurah Turner, University of Cincinnati.
January 22, 2026, 12:00 PM EST – Generative AI in Medical Education: Navigating the Educators’ Dilemma, presented by Neil Mehta, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of CWRU SOM.
January 29, 2026, 12:00 PM EST – Automated Tools to Autonomous Agents: Affordances and Limitations to AI for Learning, presented by Richard Landers, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
February 5, 2026, 12:00 PM EST – Real World AI Use: Guardrails, Responsible Use, and Competencies, presented by Kimberly Lomis, American Medical Association.
Questions regarding the registration process, specifically for institutions, or other FAQs about the Winter 2026 Series can be found by clicking here.
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 Chasity O’Malley.
Chasity O’Malley Professor and Vice Chair of the Foundations Phase Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine Dayton, Ohio, USA
How long have you been a member of IAMSE? I have been a member of IAMSE since 2019, so I think this makes 7 years.
Looking at your time with the Association, what have you most enjoyed doing? What are you most looking forward to? I love connecting with IAMSE colleagues, whether it be virtually or in person. I’ve participated virtually through the Virtual Forum and the Cafes and in person at the annual conferences. There is sort of magic in talking with colleagues from other institutions. We have the ability to commiserate and troubleshoot issues we’re facing. It helps so much to hear that you’re not alone and to be able to hear how others have navigated situations successfully. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone at the annual conference in Augusta!
What interesting things are you working on outside of the Association right now? My students and I presented our mindfulness study at the recent annual and we are finishing up the manuscript for publication, so we’re super excited for that. I am in the 5th and final year of an NSF funded grant called CAPER that focuses on faculty development related to active learning and educational research. We’re working to help our participants who have completed their projects to finish their manuscripts for publication and those who are in their data collection phase to work towards presenting their data this summer. It’s a lot of work, but so fulfilling to see these faculty participants finish their projects. I am also expanding on my mindfulness work to extend to faculty and staff, as well as some additional approaches for our medical students.
Why do you feel that membership in IAMSE is important? what would you tell people who are thinking about joining the Association? Membership in IAMSE helps in so many ways! It opens doors and presents opportunities for collaboration with colleagues across the globe. For anyone in the promotion pipeline, IAMSE can be a game changer, providing opportunities to present internationally and to network for outside reviewer letters, not to mention, the opportunity to serve on a committee for an international organization. For those just getting started in teaching, IAMSE can help you navigate those uncertain waters and for those who are seasoned educators, IAMSE helps to keep us up to date on the current trends in medical education.
As the Chair of the IAMSE Cafe Committee, what do you most enjoy about leading that committee? Why should people take part in the IAMSE Cafes? I love seeing our members at the Cafes. Seeing members at the Cafes helps reinforce that we’ve picked topics that are relevant, timely, and of value to our membership. As the committee chair, I especially enjoy being able to curate those new topics based on feedback from our membership. The Cafes are a great way to connect with IAMSE members in a casual environment and get to know one another. Additionally, the topics are a mix of IAMSE events and services, along with current topics in health professions education. The Cafes are a great way to build your own IAMSE community!
The International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) is pleased to announce the call for oral and poster abstracts for the 30th Annual IAMSE Conference to be held at the Marriott Augusta Convention Center in Augusta, Georgia, USA, from June 6-9, 2026. The IAMSE Conference offers opportunities for training, development, and mentoring, to meet the needs of learners and professionals across the continuum of health professions education.
As a reminder, students who would like feedback on a draft of their abstract prior to final submission should email your draft abstract to support@iamse.org with the subject line Student Abstract Pre-Review by November 12, 2025. For more information on this IAMSE Student Professional Development Committee Pre-Review process opportunity for students, click here.
The first time you enter the site, you will be required to create a user profile. Even if you submitted abstracts in previous years, you will need to create a new account.
All abstracts for oral and poster presentations must be submitted in the format requested through the online abstract submission site.
You may list several authors, but you are limited to one presenter.
Once the submission deadline has passed, you may not edit your abstract. This includes adding authors.
Once the submission deadline has passed, authors will no longer have access to their abstract submissions.
There is no limit on the number of abstracts you may submit, but it is unlikely that more than two presentations per presenter can be accepted due to scheduling complexities. Abstract acceptance notifications will be returned in March 2026. Please contact support@iamse.org for any questions about your submission.
The deadline to submit is December 1, 2025!
We hope to see you in Augusta next year!
Thank you, Will Brooks 2026 Program Committee Chair
The IAMSE 2025 Virtual Forum has concluded successfully! The Program Committee would like to thank our supporters, contributors, presenters, and attendees for making this Virtual Forum such a success. Your energy, ideas, and generosity, whether working behind the scenes, supporting, volunteering, or sharing your work, lifted every session.
To our Presenters: Your scholarship and openness to dialogue created a vibrant, interactive learning space. To our Attendees: Your thoughtful questions and collegial spirit turned talks into true conversations.
The virtual format of the Virtual Forum matters. By removing travel cost barriers, we increased the accessibility and welcomes a broader global community. It also supports sustainability and flexibility, enabling more of us to engage deeply from wherever we are. Looking ahead, we hope to stay connected through IAMSE, and other virtual and in-person events! Together, we can continue learning, supporting each other, and developing innovative, globally relevant health education programs that reflect IAMSE’s vision and 2025 Virtual Forum Theme “A Global Vision for Health Education: Empowering an International Community of Educators.”
Thank you again, we wish you all the best and see you next time!
Thank you, IAMSE 2025 Virtual Forum Program Committee
IAMSE Communities of Growth (CoGs) are ongoing groups of like-minded individuals who want to informally get together to connect over an area or topic of interest. A Community of Growth is not directly connected to any Committee and is self-organized. For more information on IAMSE CoGs, click here.
Four CoGs will be meeting in November! Below are the details for each meeting. Please note that CoG Zoom links, meeting IDs, and passcodes have changed from what they have previously been. The updated links are listed below.
AI CoG
The AI CoG meeting on Zoom will take place at Noon (12 PM) EST on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. IAMSE AI CoG meetings take place regularly at 12 PM ET on the first Wednesday of each month. For information on how to join the AI CoG, email Doug McKell at douglas.mckell@gmail.com.
The November AI CoG meeting will feature Dr. Delison Elgui de Oliveira, PhD, Associate Professor (Pathology & Cancer Biology), UNESP, School of Medicine, Botucatu SP, Brazil, presenting “Remodeling Education in Pathology and Biomedical Sciences Prompting Effective Learning and Teaching with AI LLMs.” Dr. Amy Stone, of the UNLV Kirk Kekorian School of Science will moderate the session.
To join the November AI CoG Zoom meeting, click here. Meeting ID: 966 6621 1082 Passcode: 361577
CORE CoG
The Community Outreach, Research, and Engagement (CORE) CoG meeting will take place at 11:00 AM EST on Thursday, November 6, 2025. CORE CoG meetings then take place regularly every other month on either Monday at 3:00 PM ET or Thursday at 11:00 AM ET. Dates may vary. The CORE CoG is led by Peter Vollbrecht and Natascha Heise.
This CORE CoG meeting will bring folks together to discuss summer experience programs. Now that we have all had time to breath, we hope to hear from everyone about their summer programs. What went well, what was challenging, what data are/were you collecting? How do you plan to turn your work into scholarship? We’d love to hear from you at this meeting!
To join the November CORE CoG Zoom meeting, click here. Meeting ID: 940 7015 6397 Passcode: 086440
LGBTQ+ CoG
The LGBTQ+ Community in Health Professions Education CoG meeting will take place on Zoom at 12:00 PM EST on Thursday, November 6, 2025. The next LGBTQ+ CoG meeting will be in February. For more information on the LGBTQ+ Community in Health Professions Education CoG, contact Cory Gerwe at gerwecd@odu.edu.
To join the November LGBTQ+ CoG Zoom meeting, click here. Meeting ID: 953 6376 6152 Passcode: 010159
Black Medical Educators CoG
The IAMSE Black Medical Educators CoG meeting will take place at 12:30 PM EST Friday, November 7, 2025. IAMSE Black Medical Educators CoG meetings take place quarterly at 12:30 PM ET on the first Friday in May, August, November, and February. If you are a Black medical educator interested in learning more about this CoG and/or how to become a member, please contact Jacqueline Powell at jpowell@msm.edu.
To join the November Black Medical Educators CoG Zoom meeting, click here. Meeting ID: 945 0993 9814 Passcode: 054506
As a final reminder, the IAMSE Manuals Editorial Board is seeking proposals for contributions to the IAMSE Manuals book series to be published in 2027.
The IAMSE Manuals series was established to disseminate current developments and best evidence-based practices in healthcare education, providing healthcare educators with the most current information to succeed in their roles. The Manuals offer practical “how-to-guides” on a variety of topics relevant to teaching and learning in the healthcare profession. The aim is to improve the quality of educational activities, which include, but are not limited to, teaching, assessment, mentoring, advising, coaching, curriculum development, leadership, administration, and scholarship in healthcare education, and to promote greater interest in health professions education. They are compact volumes of 100 to 175 pages (with a minimum of 50,000 words) that address various practical challenges or opportunities facing medical educators. Springer publishes the manuals, and IAMSE members can access online versions at a reduced price. Previously published manuals are available on both the Springer and IAMSE websites.
We welcome proposal submissions on topics relevant to IAMSE’s mission and encourage multi-institutional, international, and interprofessional contributions. Topics for the manuals may vary widely, including but not limited to the following:
Cultural Competence and Inclusivity
Simulation-Based Learning
Well-being and Self-Care for Everyone
Current Use of AI in Medical Education and Ethical Considerations
Curriculum Design and Integration
Assessment and Feedback Strategies
Communication Skills
Research Approaches in Medical Education
Approaches to Emotional Intelligence and Resilience
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), Health Policy, and Advocacy
With the IAMSE 2026 Annual Conference call for abstracts approaching, the IAMSE Student Professional Development Committee invites students who are planning to submit a poster or oral abstract to participate in our abstract pre-review program.
This initiative offers an opportunity for students to receive constructive feedback on an abstract draft prior to final submission, helping to strengthen and refine your work before submitting to the conference.
Eligibility: Any student preparing IAMSE 2026 abstract submissions. You do not need to be an IAMSE member to benefit from the pre-review process.
Submission: Email your draft abstract to support@iamse.org with the subject line Student Abstract Pre-Review.
The submission deadline to have your abstract pre-reviewed is November 12, 2025.
We encourage all interested students to take advantage of this opportunity. The official portal for final abstract submissions will be opening shortly. Please watch your email for additional updates.
