Medical Educator Pathway 

Overview

The Medical Educator Pathway (MEP) is a longitudinal experience for College of Medicine (COM) students who are passionate about contributing to the present and future of medical education at an academic medical center.  SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University has a long history of producing outstanding medical educators and is among the top medical schools whose graduates make up core faculty at academic medical centers around the country. 

 The Medical Educator Pathway:            

• Augments the Integrated Pathway Curriculum with teaching experience, scholarship and institutional service
• Helps produce outstanding medical educators and leaders in academic medicine who are ready to contribute professionally to the field of medical education
• Allows students to build a backbone of education techniques prior to starting residency
• Creates valuable opportunities to develop skills as an educator, which coincides with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s (ACGME) emphasis on residents as teachers – making MEP graduates appealing applicants to residency programs

MEP Mission 

We aim to prepare medical students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be future leaders in medical education at academic medical centers. Our specific goals include 1) promotion of excellence in teaching and curriculum development, and 2) support of innovations, scholarship and research in medical education.

Medical Educator Pathway Components

1. MEP Sessions/Workshops: Throughout all four years MEP students will have the chance to attend medical education classes held at Downstate or other nearby medical centers. In addition, students may join any of the Downstate center-wide professional development workshops offered regularly to faculty. These sessions are excellent ways to develop basic understanding of education and leadership principles, as well as ways to apply basic teaching methodology.
2. Mentorship: Students will receive guidance from both faculty and senior students, becoming part of the wider SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Med Ed social network. Students can brainstorm project ideas with these guides, working closely with faculty on specific projects in either medical education research or curriculum innovations.
3. Committee Service: Students in the MEP are encouraged to serve on at least one committee during medical school that focuses on some aspect of curriculum, including, but not limited to: Admissions Committee, Curriculum and Educational Policy, Student Liaison Committee, Course Faculty Assessment Leaders or Dean's
4. Teaching: “Doctor” in Latin translates to “teacher” so MEP students are expected to teach their near peers during medical school and complete related educational Activities include but are not limited to: developing and delivering tag team lectures with faculty, creating and/or facilitating a group session (PBL, lab or other small group), teaching clinical skills and physical exam sessions, serving as a simulated patient to teach interview skills, developing formative and summative assessment materials and developing new materials or methods for teaching and learning. All activities will be supervised and evaluated by a faculty member or a MEP peer mentor.

Near Peer Educator Program:  

The Near Peer Educator Program (NPEP) is coordinated by student leaders in the Medical Educator Pathway to establish co-facilitation of clinical skills sessions across the pre-clerkship Foundations curriculum. In this program, more experienced senior students, known as Near Peer Teachers (NPTs), serve as teachers to junior students.

By partnering with faculty in clinical skills labs, NPTs provide an alternative teaching resource for students. Our Near Peer Teachers develop crucial leadership skills that are beneficial when they become residents charged with the responsibility of educating medical students and peers. The program has been immensely successful through its first four years and has become an indispensable part of the Foundations curriculum.  To date, 384 students have taught 2940 hours of clinical skills sessions.

The pathway is open to all students in good academic standing in medical school. During the Fall in Foundations 1, the entire first year class will be sent an email inviting them to a general info session on the MEP and describing how interested students may enroll. Enrollment occurs during Foundations 1. Special exceptions to enroll during later years will be judged on a case-by-case basis. Those enrolled may withdraw at any time without penalty. Upon completion of the MEP students receive an award and acknowledgement on Awards Day as an MEP graduate. Their participation will be noted in their Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE/Dean's Letter for residency application).