Mark Di Corcia, Ph.D., O.T.R., received the 2017 MedEdPORTAL Associate Editor of the Year at the American Academy of Medical Colleges (AAMC) annual meeting in Boston. The MedEdPortal is the Journal of Teaching and Learning Resources. Dr. Di Corcia began his role as a MedEdPORTAL associate editor in 2011, managing the peer review of 59 submissions and issuing recommendations that have led to 48 publications to date. Dr. Di Corcia brings a thorough and focused presence to the publishing process. Through his deep understanding of MedEdPORTAL policies, his timeliness, his attention to detail, and willingness to engage in the minute details of a submission, he has proven himself to be a great asset to editorial office staff and authors, and to the journal as a whole.

This year, the College of Medicine's inaugural Internal Medicine (IM) residency class boasted impressive passing rates on the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certifying examination. Twenty-four of the twenty-seven graduating residents took the exam, with an impressive pass rate of 96%! The remaining residents plan to take it in 2018.

 

The 96% ABIM pass rate for FAU's residency graduates in 2017 exceeded the national average as well as the pass rate for most of Florida's other university-affiliated programs in recent years. In 2014-2016 the national ABIM pass rate for first-time examinees ranged from 87-90%, and the pass rate for Florida programs ranged from 77-100%.

This fall, the annual Medical Education retreat highlighted several achievements from the past year including the Health & Wellness Initiative, curriculum improvements, clinical skills expansions, faculty development, several grants, new residency programs, and administrative innovations among other accomplishments.  The admissions data represent an increase in women, under represented minorities, and Florida residents in the entering class, as compared to previous years.

The Office of Academic Affairs is now seeking nominations for The Michael L. Friedland, MD Leadership Teaching Award. This award is presented annually at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Faculty Recognition Ceremony & Faculty Development Presentation (February 6, 2018) to an undergraduate or graduate medical education faculty member who epitomizes the attributes of Dr. Friedland, namely:

Integrity: Encompasses honesty, keeping one's word, and consistently adhering to the principles of professionalism, even when it is not easy to do so

Vision: Evidence of curricular, evaluation, and/or process innovation related to the educational endeavors at the College of Medicine

Leadership: Ongoing commitment to service responsibilities related to the College of Medicine's educational goals/initiatives

Dedication: Consistent evidence as an outstanding teacher and/or mentor and/or leader at the College of Medicine

We are inviting and encouraging faculty to self-nominate or nominate other faculty members that they feel are worthy of this prestigious award. Please take the time to complete the Nomination Form (please click here to access form) by December 10, 2017.

Criteria are as follows :

1. Nominations may be made by any faculty member holding a current faculty appointment in the College of Medicine
2. Nominees must have a faculty appointment in the College of Medicine and be actively engaged in undergraduate and/or graduate education
3. Nominees must have a minimum of (5) years of service or employment in the College of Medicine
4. Nominators must be able to provide a narrative description of the nominee's distinguished achievement in education related to: integrity, vision, leadership and dedication

Please contact Dr. Mark Di Corcia or Kadeja Henry, Academic Affairs Specialist, if you have any questions or concerns.

On November 16, Professor and Chair of the Biomedical Science Department, 

Dr.  Janet Robishaw and her laboratory, hosted 60 students from the Donna  Klein  Jewish Academy's, "Medical Studies Program Scholars" for an interactive session on precision medicine and genetics. Students investigated the frequency of a genetic trait in a classroom population, using the ability to taste a bitter substance, as an example. DNA modeling kits were used to demonstrate genetic variation in the taste receptor gene.

In addition, Dr. Darin Trelka gave a riveting presentation on forensic pathology, which was well-received among the students. Dr. Joanna Drowos was instrumental in organizing the visit. "The session was very informative, fun, and interactive. Thank you, Dr. Robishaw, for inspiring our next generation of scientists," Dr. Drowos said.

 

The partnership between the College of Medicine and the Donna Klein Jewish Academy represents a fruitful opportunity for community outreach and incorporates campus visits throughout the year to engage in discussions and activities with medical faculty. These visits encourage an interest in the science and health professions.

The FAMU-FAU Medical Scholars Program (MSP) is the College of Medicine's flagship Bachelor of Science-MD pipeline program. Pictured are Michelle N. Wilson and Ugoma C. Onubogu, the first members of the MSP to matriculate at the College of Medicine. During their careers at FAMU, Michelle and Ugoma were outstanding leaders in the MSP; both academically and in the MSP student organization, with Michelle serving as President and Ugoma as Vice President. The MSP is currently admitting the sixth cohort for the 2018 fall semester, with some of the brightest young premedical minds from across the nation.

There are approximately 6,100 hospices nationwide that provide care for about  1.6 million patients annually. On a daily basis, health care providers, especially those dealing with terminally ill patients, such as hospice workers, witness how advance directives help ensure the wishes of patients. These providers witness the negative consequences when patients fail to document the care they desire at their end of life.

The sense of touch is often taken for granted. For someone without a limb or hand, losing that sense of touch can be devastating. While highly sophisticated prostheses with complex moving fingers and joints are available to mimic almost every hand motion, they remain frustratingly difficult and unnatural for the user. This is largely because they lack the tactile experience that guides every movement. This void in sensation results in limited use or abandonment of these very expensive artificial devices. So why not make a prosthesis that can actually "feel" its environment?  

The College of Medicine Geriatric Subspecialty Student Chapter seeks to educate all medical students about the clinical needs and health care concerns of older adult patients and to encourage and provide opportunities to perform and present clinical and basic science research in geriatrics. The mission of this subspecialty chapter, in line with that of the American Geriatric Society, is to shape students into health care providers dedicated to improving the health, independence, quality of life, and well-being of all older adults.

The goals of the College of Medicine chapter are to increase interest among physicians-in-training in the field of geriatrics, provide opportunities for students to increase their awareness of the aging process and its unique clinical challenges, to provide community service experiences to benefit the older adult community, and to develop relationships with faculty members, student groups, and other health care professionals who possess an interest in caring for older adults. In order to achieve these goals, the College of Medicine chapter hosts various activities throughout the academic year including panel discussions, lectures, community service opportunities, and residency advising sessions.

Congratulations to fourth-year medical student Rishabh Jethanandani, who recently published an article in the Journal of Hand Surgery, entitled, "Radial styloidectomy for scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse - relevance of nonunion location".

College of medicine students and faculty partnered with the Caridad Health Center to volunteer at the annual Family Festival on Saturday, November 18. The students performed screening tests including blood pressure, height/weight and BMI, blood glucose, and urine dipstick under the supervision of faculty.  The students also completed documentation, provided interpretation services, educated and counseled patients with faculty to ensure patients had received efficient and safe care. The event was a success!  Many students who participated have expressed an interest in pursuing a residency in primary care upon completion of medical school.