Director's Corner

The measure of a medical school: Who gets in and what they choose to do

By Adina Kalet, MD, MPH

In this week’s Transformational Times, we share highlights from the Second Annual Equity in Education Summit co-sponsored by the Kern Institute and the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion in April 2023. In this week’s Director’s Corner, Dr. Kalet reminds us why we need to conference regularly to negotiate our social mission ...

A medical school addresses its social mission through its admission policies/practices, curriculum, and generational investments. In the US, medical education is a scarce resource. Overall acceptance rates lately are around 43%, with some individual schools accepting fewer than 5% of applicants. Since almost all medical students who matriculate will eventually graduate, we have the awesome privilege and responsibility of composing the physician workforce through our selection of medical students from among a rich pool of academically qualified candidates.

How should we decide who gets in? Who “deserves” to be a physician? Did you catch our vision? 

Perspective/Opinion





Pre-health pathways our learners explore and Five R’s you should consider to foster equity

By Kristina Kaljo, PhD, Denise Cook-Snyder, PhD and Kathleen O’Connell, PhD

Pre-health pathway programs are designed to support diverse learners as they bridge their experiences with future goals. We put two MCW pathway programs to the equity test through Five R’s that could also be applied to other pathway programs …

Pre-health pathway programs provide critical opportunities for learners to explore, experience, and pursue careers within medicine, biomedical research and more broadly, the health professions. In turn, pathway programs support institutional and community goals of advancing equity and promoting diversity along career trajectories.

To systematically highlight the unique attributes and programmatic components of two MCW pathway programs we are substantively involved with, and review how they promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, we applied a Five R’s lens: Resources, Recruitment, Reality, Results, and Relationships.

Perspective/Opinion



A mentor’s message to new medical students

By Brett A Linzer, MD

I have had the privilege and honor of coaching and mentoring medical students for 21 years.

Most of this mentoring takes place in my outpatient Internal Medicine / Pediatrics practice, where each student spends two to three days with me every week for a month-long rotation. Additionally, I have been fortunate enough to work with students from all years as a facilitator in the REACH and 4C coaching programs. Throughout these experiences, I have accumulated over 16,000 hours of one-on-one time with students in my clinic, fostering deep connections and intimate relationships.

During extended periods in my clinic, I encourage students to shed the facade of a medical student who must appear knowledgeable, confident, and unemotional. I ask them to remove their white coats and approach patients with just their name tag and stethoscope. Over time, I help them feel comfortable enough to let go of the mask and persona they wear, allowing their vulnerable and emotional selves to emerge. Gradually, I witness them soften their demeanor, speak more thoughtfully, take time between their thoughts, and smile more often. This process nurtures the growth of trust and connection.

One question I make a habit of asking each student: What is the most challenging aspect of medical school for you? 

Perspective/Opinion

Using data to drive equity in the learning environment: An example and discussion of how individuals, departments, and institutions can create change



By Leon J. Gilman, Tavinder K. Ark, PhD, Michael N. Levas, MD, MS, Malika Siker, MD, Karen Mann, and Jerel Ballard 

The authors were panelists in the Second Annual Summit on Advancing Equity in the Learning Environment on April 20, 2023. The following article summarizes what was presented and discussed, and provides next steps we should take for all students to thrive…

Every student deserves to learn in an environment where they are respected and valued. Unfortunately, data from multiple sources over the last few years reveal that our health science students who identify with groups historically underrepresented in medicine (URiM) experience the learning environment as less supportive and inclusive. Consistent with findings from many other health science schools, these results are not unique to MCW. As part of our institutional effort to examine how the learning environment may be contributing to these differences, we have been designing data-based strategies to better understand root causes, design tools and strategies to mitigate areas of concern, and monitor changes. The panelists were tasked with sharing and discussing examples of how we are using data to inform sustainable changes needed to ensure all students and trainees have a learning environment that supports their academic excellence.

Perspective/Opinion



Summit highlights power of data to advance equity in the learning environment



By Devarati Syam, PhD, and Malika Siker, MD



Drs. Syam and Siker share their reflections on the Equity Summit recently held at Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)…

Inaugurated in 2022, the annual MCW summit on Advancing Equity in the Learning Environment is an engaging, impactful event developed in partnership between the Kern Institute and the MCW Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity.

In our second year, the summit focused on “Utilizing Data to Advance Equity in the Learning Environment.” This half-day event brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, including students, faculty, staff, and residents engaged in equity work as a clarion call to ensure a learning environment where all students flourish and thrive.

CALL TO ARTISTS

Humanities in Medicine event

Visual and Performing Artist Submissions:

Humanities in Medicine is presented by Froedtert Hospital’s Departments of Spiritual Services and Behavioral Health

Friday, September 8, 2023

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Froedtert Hospital Clinical Cancer Center

1st Floor - Helfaer Mezzanine

We are looking for Froedtert Health and MCW staff, physicians and patients to share their visual and performing art at our next Humanities in Medicine event. Some examples of the creative works we would like to include: drawing & painting, mixed media, fiber art, photography, poetry, spoken word, dancing, music, singing and acting.