Learning celebrated at DOM Education Day 2024

From left, Allison Ishizaki, MPH, assistant director - education; Amy Zelenski, PhD, associate professor, General Internal Medicine, and director of education innovation and scholarship; and Christine Sharkey, MD, clinical associate professor, Rheumatology, discussing the innovative new DOM Educator Academy.

February 23, 2024 was the ninth annual Department of Medicine Education Day, which brings together faculty, staff and learners for professional development activities centered around undergraduate and graduate medical education.

“It was inspiring to see all of the incredible work being done in education throughout the department,” says Katherine Vaughan, MA, continuing education specialist, who played a role in coordinating the event.

Watch the highlights [YouTube video]:

Grand Rounds

The half-day event opened with a Grand Rounds presentation [video recording], “Words Matter: Bias in Letters and Evaluations,” by Reeni Abraham, MD, associate professor, Department of Internal Medicine, and Internal Medicine Associate Vice Chair for Undergraduate Medical Education, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

DOM learners watch Dr. Reeni Abraham’s Grand Rounds in an auditorium.
Internal medicine resident Sean Mortenson, MD, PG-2, watches Dr. Abraham’s Grand Rounds, while Emily Kahlandt, MD, PG-2, takes notes.

Education Awards

The Excellence in Education Mentoring Awards recognize faculty and advanced practice providers (APPs) who are actively engaged in education mentorship of junior or peer educators. The 2024 recipients:

The Inspirational Educator Awards recognize faculty and APPs who display unparalleled energy, passion and skill for educating students, residents and/or fellows. The 2024 recipients:

New this year, the Staff Excellence in Education Awards honor University or Academic staff who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to the growth and professional development of others. The 2024 recipients: 

  • Rachel Filipiak, MHA, graduate medical education program manager, Infectious Disease
  • Amanda Salm, health professions education coordinator, Geriatrics and Gerontology
Left to right: DOM Vice Chair for Education Laura Zakowski, MD, poses with award recipients Christine Sharkey, MD; Jessica Tischendorf, MD, MS; Kelly Lavin, MD; Elyse Harris, MD; Rachel Filipiak, MHA; Jordan Kenik, MD; Amanda Salm; Fahad Aziz, MD; Maryam Zamanian, MD, MSc; and Ross Pinter, PA.
Left to right: DOM Vice Chair for Education Laura Zakowski, MD, with award recipients Christine Sharkey, MD; Jessica Tischendorf, MD, MS; Kelly Lavin, MD; Elyse Harris, MD; Rachel Filipiak, MHA; Jordan Kenik, MD; Amanda Salm; Fahad Aziz, MD; Maryam Zamanian, MD, MSc; and Ross Pinter, PA.

Poster Showcase

Throughout the event, attendees were able to peruse a poster showcase of education-related work by faculty, staff and learners—an Education Day first. 

View a list of the posters and their presenters [PDF].

Residency program director Andy Coyle, MD, center, with a trainee (center-right) and Fahad Aziz, MD (foreground).
Residency program director Andy Coyle, MD, center, with Ahmed El Shaer, MBBS, PG-2, internal medicine residency, and Dr. Fahad Aziz (foreground).

Breakout Sessions

  • “Fertility, Pregnancy, Parental Leave & Lactation Issues in GME” presented by faculty and learners of the department’s FAME (Fellow-as-Medical-Educator) training track
  • “Medical Education Grant Writing and the Macy Foundation Catalyst Award” presented by Sushant Srinivasan, MD, MPH, associate professor, and Emily Ruedinger, MD, MEd, associate professor and associate residency program director, University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics
  • “Panel Discussion on the Educator Academy” presented by the DOM Educator Academy Board of Directors
  • “Centering DEI in our Classroom Environments” presented by the DOM Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Left to right: Tess Woodring, MD, fellow, pediatric hematology/oncology; Akinwale Ikeyu, MD, MS, PG-1, internal medicine residency; Kelly Schmidt, MD, clinical assistant professor, Cardiovascular Medicine; Awa Sanneh, MD, PG-4, obstetrics and gynecology residency; Sarah Donohue, MD, assistant professor, Rheumatology. All five became new parents during their graduate medical training years. Here they answer questions during the panel portion of the “Fertility, Pregnancy, Parental Leave & Lactation Issues in
Left to right: Tess Woodring, MD, fellow, pediatric hematology/oncology; Akinwale Iyeku, MD, MS, PG-1, internal medicine residency; Kelly Schmidt, MD, clinical assistant professor, Cardiovascular Medicine; Awa Sanneh, MD, PG-4, obstetrics and gynecology residency; Sarah Donohue, MD, assistant professor, Rheumatology. All five became new parents during their graduate medical training years. Here they answer questions during the panel portion of the “Fertility, Pregnancy, Parental Leave & Lactation Issues in GME” breakout session.

"It is a delight to see the growth of Education Day with each passing year," concludes Laura Zakowski, MD, professor, General Internal Medicine, and the department's Vice Chair of Education. "I look forward to continued education excellence in our department and at this yearly celebration!"

Banner photo: from left, Allison Ishizaki, MPH, assistant director - education; Amy Zelenski, PhD, associate professor, General Internal Medicine, and director of education innovation and scholarship; and Christine Sharkey, MD, clinical associate professor, Rheumatology, discussing the innovative new DOM Educator Academy.

All photo credit: Clint Thayer/Department of Medicine.

Matt Mallum, MFA