Louis N. Pangaro, MD, MACP
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine
During his distinguished career, Louis N. Pangaro, MD, MACP, professor of medicine and health professions education at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hébert (USUHS) School of Medicine, has had a lasting impact on medical education through his development of innovative assessment tools and advancement of career development for clinician-educators.
Dr. Pangaro has fostered the clinical education career pathway by helping to create two national organizations, Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine (CDIM) and the Alliance for Clinical Education (ACE). He is most notably recognized for developing the “Reporter-Interpreter-Manager-Educator” (RIME) framework.
In the 1990s, RIME introduced a model of synthetic, developmental frameworks as an alternative to the “knowledge-skills-attitude” model for assessing the competency of students and residents as they progress from understanding to action. Studied internationally and adopted across health professions, the RIME framework is considered a forerunner of newer synthetic approaches, including milestones and Core Entrustable Professional Activities.
At USUHS School of Medicine, Dr. Pangaro has served as medicine clerkship director, vice-chair for education, and department chair (2008-2018), enabling the creation of the Center for Health Professions Education, which grants master’s and PhD degrees while fostering educational research. He also served as interim dean for one year during the pandemic.
Dr. Pangaro has published more than 150 papers on medical education and has edited books on educational leadership and assessment. As co-director for 14 years of the Harvard Macy Institute’s course, A Systems Approach to Assessment in Health Professions Education, Dr. Pangaro has reached more than 600 education leaders globally in an experiential, competency-based approach that assures the readiness of systems and learners.
Dr. Pangaro retired from the U.S. Army in 1998 with the rank of colonel. Within the military medical community, Dr. Pangaro has evaluated and given individual feedback to thousands of medical students and has coached approximately 1,000 faculty members as a facilitator in the Stanford Faculty Development Program.
He has earned numerous accolades, including the inaugural Uniformed Services University Carol Johns Medal in 2001, the highest honor bestowed by faculty at the university. He has also received the National Board of Medical Examiners’ Hubbard Award and Edithe J. Levit Distinguished Service Award, the AAMC Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award, the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine’s Distinguished Medical Educator Award, and three CDIM awards: the Charles H. Griffith, III, MD, Educational Research Award; the Ruth-Marie E. Fincher, MD, Service Award; and the Louis N. Pangaro, MD, Educational Program Development Award. Additionally, ACE recently created the Louis N. Pangaro Medical Educator Award to recognize innovation in building interdisciplinary collaboration in clinical education.
Dr. Pangaro is a practicing endocrinologist. He earned an MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1973 and completed his medicine residency at Georgetown University Hospital. He was a research fellow in endocrinology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.