MEHP fellows, faculty, and alumni are invited to experience the MEHP decennial conference as an avatar in a state-of-the-art virtual reality platform. There will be plenty of educational, networking, and social opportunities in a new format as the MEHP program concludes its 10th year in a three-day conference, July 27–29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern time daily. Practice sessions to enter the conference will be held on July 23 and 26.
With three keynote talks, abstract and poster presentations, workshops, and symposia, the event is designed to celebrate the MEHP program, create networking opportunities, and facilitate the adoption of techniques and technologies for improving education in the health professions.
“Our main goal, like always, is to bring our community together as a network of support, to share the work the members of our community have been doing, and to develop our skills in teaching, research, and leadership,” says Toni Ungaretti, PhD, MEHP program director. “It’s the only time we come together in person, but this year, because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we’ll do it in a different way.”
The keynote talks will present solid skills all attendees can put to use:
- On July 27, Lorelai Lingard, PhD, an internationally recognized researcher in the study of communication and collaboration on health care teams, will discuss how to write effective research papers by thinking of them as stories, not studies. Lingard is a professor in the Department of Medicine and senior scientist at the Centre for Education Research and Innovation, both at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University in Canada.
- On July 28, Nehal Khamis, MD, PhD, MHPE, co-chair of the faculty development committee of the American College of Surgeons, will discuss international work in competency-based education and provide a global perspective on medical education. Khamis, a senior medical education consultant for the Secretary General of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties in Riyadh, is known internationally for her contributions to the field of medical education and her evidence-based, stepwise approach of course design for simulation-based training.
- On July 29, Marjorie Jenkins, MD, FACP (MEHP ’15), dean of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville, and former capstone director for the MEHP program, will speak on positioning yourself for leadership.
Additionally, Ungaretti says, attendees can participate in a kickoff reception on July 26.
The innovative conference platform has not just typical meeting facilities but also a shady glen for networking and a beach for relaxing. Between sessions, attendees can meet with colleagues or explore the virtual world, climbing a lighthouse for a great view, or riding a motor boat with colleagues around a lake.
Proposals for abstracts, posters, workshops, and symposia are invited for submission to the MEHP decennial conference committee by May 28. Proposals should be no longer than 350 words and should include the title of the proposal, the presenters/faculty, a description (including a narrative agenda), and the significance of the proposed topic to the conference mission. Click here to submit proposals. Questions may be directed to Margaret Shamer at [email protected].