We are so excited to showcase some of our brilliant UME educators in the department of medicine and across our AHEC sites. For many of us there are certain teachers in our past who left a mark on our lives and are highly valued. For some they may be the reason you went into medicine or the specialty you are in. The DOM along with the AHEC sites have many highly regarded educators who are closely involved in teaching and mentoring our students. Thus, we want to feature some of our educators so that we can all get to know them better.
– Drs. Koyal Jain and Ashley Henderson
What is your role in undergraduate medical education?
I am the co-director for the outpatient clerkship. I was drawn to this role because I strongly believe in the fundamental role of primary care towards a patient’s well-being. I value the lasting relationships I build with my patients, and believe in partnering with patients to find care plans that meet their goals.
How did you get involved in your current role?
As a primary care educator, I want to ensure that all students understand the important role that a PCP plays – both within health systems and for individual patients. Given how broad the field of primary care is, my hope is that students that rotate through our clerkship leave with a strong foundation in outpatient medicine that can be applied to any specialty.
We are in the midst of an extensive curricular re-design at the Medical School, and are currently re-building the entire course. Curriculum design is one of my favourite Med-Ed activities because I enjoy content development and the process of “working backwards” — first starting with educational goals and outcomes and then creating course components to build a course that meets these objectives.
What do you enjoy in your free time or outside work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family (husband and 2 kids), taking long walks in the woods and reading. I had my first child in residency and am a strong advocate for work-life balance and supporting parents throughout their medical careers. It is important to feel that a career in medicine (and medical education) is sustainable.
What advice would you give to a 1st year medical student? 4th year student?
My advice to all students — the most important part of your educational experience is the patients you interact with and your desire to learn. Talk to as many patients as you can, and take the time to learn about their lives and experiences. This is what will make you a better doctor. Medicine is an ever-changing field. Even as an attending (and an educator), there is still so much I don’t know. It is important to embrace knowledge gaps and learn how to fill them