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 Jickssa M. Gemechu.

Jickssa M. Gemechu, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies
Co-Director, Anatomical Foundations of Clinical Practice
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

How long have you been a member of IAMSE?
I have been a member of IAMSE since 2016, the same year I joined the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB). I attended my first Annual IAMSE Conference in 2018 and have consistently participated every year since.

Looking at your time with the Association, what have you most enjoyed doing? What are you looking forward to?
During my time with IAMSE, I have actively engaged in many of the opportunities the association offers its members. IAMSE played a pivotal role in my transition from a postdoctoral fellow with bench research experience to a faculty position in medical education. I began this journey by enrolling in the ESME course, which I completed in February 2019. This experience equipped me with foundational skills and knowledge in health professions education and enabled me to pursue the IAMSE Medical Education Fellowship, which I completed in 2022. The fellowship significantly enriched my professional development, offering comprehensive training and providing tangible evidence of specialized achievement that has supported and advanced my academic career.

In addition to these educational opportunities, I have served on the IAMSE Membership
Committee (2023–2025) and have been a manuscript reviewer for the Medical Science
Educator since 2020. I currently serve on the IAMSE Ambassador Committee and look
forward to continuing my active engagement with the association in various capacities.

What interesting things are you working on outside of the Association right now?
At OUWB, I am actively engaged in teaching Gross Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroanatomy sessions, and serve as Co-Director of the Anatomical Foundations of Clinical Practice course. In recognition of my commitment to teaching, I was honored with the Foundational Medical Studies Excellence in Teaching Award in 2024. In addition to my educational responsibilities, I mentor students on several Embark research projects focused on basic and clinical anatomy, particularly examining clinically relevant anatomy in surgical contexts. I have also collaborated with OUWB and international colleagues on a survey-based study investigating the impact of cultural attachment on medical students’ perceptions and emotional experiences during human donor dissection. This work was presented at the 2024 IAMSE Annual Conference and part of it has been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

I was recently honored to receive the Oakland University Black Faculty Association Summer Research and Education Award in support of a project titled Integration of Anatomy Q&A Podcast to Enhance Learning and Engagement Among Medical Students. This initiative draws on questions developed and refined from high-yield topics and complex anatomical concepts identified through student survey feedback. We have completed two pilot Q&A podcast episodes and plan to fully launch the series in the upcoming fall semester, with the goal of expanding access beyond OUWB students.
In addition to my teaching and scholarly responsibilities, I actively serve on multiple committees at OUWB and Oakland University. These leadership roles have enabled me to make meaningful contributions to the institution and have been instrumental in my growth as an academic leader.

Outside of OUWB, I serve as an adjunct faculty member at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, where I teach and mentor postgraduate students. In this role, I have developed collaborative research partnerships and contributed to the publication of several scholarly manuscripts.

As a member of the IAMSE Membership Committee, what do you most enjoy about being a part of that?
Serving on the IAMSE Membership Committee over the past three years has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my involvement with the association. What I value most is the opportunity to engage with a diverse and passionate community of educators dedicated to advancing medical education worldwide. Contributing to initiatives aimed at increasing and retaining membership, assessing member needs, and supporting professional development has been both meaningful and fulfilling.

As part of my service, I was assigned to the IAMSE Equity Faculty Development Task Force, where we examined how equity is embedded within the association’s structure to promote membership growth and faculty development. The task force’s recommendations were well received by the IAMSE Executive Committee, reflecting a strong, shared commitment to equity and the continued growth of the association.

I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to contribute to IAMSE’s mission. This experience has deepened my appreciation for inclusive, collaborative academic communities and strengthened my commitment to fostering equity and engagement in medical education. I look forward to continuing my active involvement with IAMSE and supporting its ongoing progress and impact.

Anything else that you would like to add?
I would like to add that IAMSE has been instrumental in supporting professionals transitioning from bench research to medical education by providing guidance, encouragement, and meaningful professional development opportunities. It serves as an outstanding association for growth, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where members can share ideas, collaborate on scholarly initiatives, and stay informed about best practices in health professions education.

Beyond individual advancement, IAMSE has a profound impact on learners by promoting evidence-based teaching strategies that enhance engagement and improve learning outcomes. Faculty benefit from a broad range of professional development opportunities, including webinars, mentorship programs, and annual conferences that foster innovation, leadership, and excellence in medical education.

IAMSE also plays a vital role in shaping the broader educational landscape through its commitment to global collaboration and the dissemination of high-quality research and educational resources. Ultimately, the association empowers its members to be agents of change within their institutions and communities, advancing the quality of medical education and contributing to better healthcare outcomes.