“Better Together”
Hosted by
FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Date: April 28-30, 2025
Location: Miami, FL (Miami Marriott Dadeland)
We are pleased to announce our upcoming joint conference with our esteemed affinity partners within the southern region:
- Group on Educational Affairs (GEA)
- Group on Student Affairs (GSA)
- Organization of Student Representatives (OSR)
We cordially invite you to join us for this collaborative event, which promises to be an enriching experience featuring:
- Research Abstracts
- Innovation Abstracts
- Workshops
- Small Group Discussions
- Panels
Key Topics:
- Accreditation
- Transitions in Student Affairs and Medical Education
- Professionalism and Academic Performance/Progression
- Expanding DEI knowledge, practices, and language in the Learning Environment
- Curriculum: Teaching and learning pedagogies and curricular innovation
- AI, simulation, and technology
- Assessment and evaluation
- Professional and Leadership development
- Advising strategy and models
- Wellbeing and flourishing
This unique partnership allows us to bring together diverse perspectives and expertise from across medical education, student affairs, and student representatives. The conference will offer unparalleled opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and professional development
Registration opens: 2025
Conference Co-Chairs:
- Michele Birch, MD
- Stephanie B. Corliss, PhD
- Yolangel Hernandez Suarez, MD, MBA, FACOG
Host Co-Chairs:
- Rebecca L. Toonkel, MD
OSR Planning Hosts
- Kassandra Jade
- Caroline Ezekwesili
- Hope Cherian
We look forward to seeing you in Miami!
Session Types
Research in Medical Education, Student Support, and Advising Abstract Proposal (poster or oral Presentation)
Purpose: Includes works to promote dissemination and discussion of research and its application to medical education.
Time/Format: Submissions will be peer reviewed and accepted abstracts will be selected for either poster or oral presentation. Presenting authors should be familiar enough with the project to discuss relevant literature, present findings, and answer questions.
- Oral presentations: 10-minute in-person presentation with a maximum of 12 slides, as well as time for Q&A with the presenter. First authors have the option to “opt out” of an oral presentation during the submission process.
- Poster presentations: Presenters are expected to be available to discuss their research with session attendees in-person during the designated poster session.
Proposals are limited to 300 words and must include:
- Research statement/question
- Background and/or theoretical framework and relevance of the study
- Design and methods
- Results of data collection and analysis
- Limitations
- Conclusions
Required but not included in 300-word count:
- Title
- Author(s) and affiliated institutions
- References (limit 4)
Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:
- Clarity of research statement/question
- Strength of background and/or theoretical framework and relevance of the study
- Strength of research design and methods
- Relevance of results
- Limitations and soundness of conclusions
- Clarity of writing
Innovations in Medical Education, Student Support, and Advising (poster or oral presentation)
Purpose: Includes works to promote dissemination and discussion of scholarly educational innovations and their application to medical education.
Time/Format: Submissions will be peer reviewed and accepted abstracts will be selected for either poster or oral presentation. Presenting authors should be familiar enough with the project to discuss relevant literature, present findings, and answer questions.
- Oral presentations: 10-minute in-person presentation with a maximum of 12 slides, as well as time for Q&A with the presenter. First authors have the option to “opt out” of an oral presentation during the submission process.
- Poster presentations: Presenters are expected to be available to discuss their research with session attendees in-person during the designated poster session.
Proposals are limited to 300 words and must include:
- Objective or purpose of innovation
- Background and/or theoretical framework and importance to the field
- Innovation Design
- Evaluation Plan: methods and measures
- Outcomes
- Feasibility and transferability
Required but not included in 300-word count:
- Title
- Author(s) and affiliated institutions
- References (limit 4)
Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:
- Clarity of what was novel, new or innovative
- Strength of background and/or theoretical framework and relevance
- Strength of evaluation plan (methods and materials)
- Relevance of outcomes
- Quality of reflective critique about the innovation
- Clarity of writing
Key Differences Between Research and Innovations
The table below summarizes some of the similarities and differences in Research and Innovation abstract submissions.
| Section | Research | Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Strong rationale with theoretical framework applied | Strong rationale with theoretical framework applied; What was new, novel or innovative? |
| Methods | Clear methods and data analysis | Emphasis on evaluation plan |
| Results | Results are complete and relevant | Outcomes are clearly defined |
| Conclusions | Sound conclusions and limitations discussed | Feasibility, sustainability, and transferability; Quality of reflective critique about the innovation |
Workshops
Purpose: Skill-oriented, interactive experience for participants which will allow them to take home specific knowledge and skills.
Time/Format: Conference workshops will be 90 minutes in length. It is expected that the workshop activities will include hands-on practice and/or active learning for a majority of the workshop time.
Proposals are limited to 500 words and must include:
- Rationale: Why the topic is important, timely, and its relevant to medical education. Why participants would be interested in this topic.
- Learning Objectives: What participates will know or be able to do as a result of this session.
- Session Methods and Format: Indicate the amount of time to be allocated to each element of the session. Describe the format of the session and the methods that will be used to actively involve participants.
- Experience: In one sentence per speaker, describe the experience of the speaker(s) relevant to the topic being presented.
Required but not included in 500-word count:
- Title
- Author(s) and affiliated institutions
Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:
- Strength of the rationale for the topic and interest potential
- Clarity of learning objectives
- Clarity and appropriateness of session methods and format
- Strategies for active learning
- Qualifications of the speaker(s)
- Clarity of writing
Small Group Discussions
Purpose: Small group discussion topics may address administrative issues, admissions, advising, curriculum, evaluation, assessment, leadership or professional development, student support, learner and faculty/staff wellbeing. Presentations demonstrating collaborative work from multiple departments or institutions are especially encouraged.
Time/Format: 45-minute sessions which include a brief focused presentation by 1 or more presenters followed by exchange between the presenters and the audience. Ample time for questions and comments from the audience, and responses by the presenters should be included.
Proposals are limited to 500 word abstracts and must include the following components:
- Rationale: Why the topic is important, its timeliness, and its relevance to medical education, student support, and advising.
- Learning Objectives: What participates will know or be able to do as a result of this session
- Session Methods and Format: Indicate amount of time to be allocated to each speaker or element of the program. Describe the format of the session and the methods that will be used to engage participants.
- Experience: In one sentence per speaker, describe the experience of the speaker(s).
Required but not included in 500-word count:
- Title
- Author(s) and affiliated institutions
Panel Discussions
Purpose: Panel discussions examine diverse perspectives and approaches to educational, student support, and advising subjects or issues. Presentations demonstrating collaborative work from multiple departments or institutions are especially encouraged.
Time Format: 90-minute sessions which include presentations by 2 or more panelists and a moderator followed by responses from the audience, and exchange between participants.
Proposals are limited to 500 word abstracts and must include the following components:
- Rationale: Why the topic is important, its timeliness, and its relevance to medical education, student support, and advising.
- Learning Objectives: What participants will know or be able to do as a result of this session
- Session Methods and Format: The amount of time allocated to each speaker or element of the program. Describe the format of the session and the methods that will be used to engage participants.
- Experience: In one sentence per speaker, describe the experience of the speaker(s).
Required but not included in 500-word count:
- Title
- Author(s) and affiliated institutions
Submission Topics
With each session type, you will be given the opportunity to select a primary and secondary submission topic that best represents your proposal. Here are the options:
- Accreditation
- Transitions in Student Affairs and Medical Education
Holistic Student Support
Broadening applicant pool by defining, exploring, and intentionally addressing medical school readiness (from high school explorations to medical school pathway programs)
Handoff from admissions to student services and educators - how to define and verify readiness
Transition to residency: away electives, applications, interviews, handoffs
Residency ‘Bootcamps’
Transition from GME to clinical practice - Professionalism and Academic Performance/Progression
Identifying and supporting students at risk - addressing academic and economical challenges, LOAs (leave of absence)
Financial aid challenges due to legislative and regulatory changes
Professionalism in the clinical learning environment - Expanding DEI knowledge, practices, and language in the Learning Environment
Addressing racial and social injustice in medical education - Curriculum: Teaching and learning pedagogies and curricular innovation
Competency-based medical education (CBME)
Foundational Competencies in UME
Basic Science Curricula
Clinical Curricula
Accelerated curricula - AI, simulation, and technology
Instructional design
AI policies and ethical considerations
Practical application of technology (AI, assessment tools, portals, etc.)
Utilizing simulation in learning - Assessment and evaluation
Competency based assessment
Measuring outcomes
Program evaluation
MSPE - Professional and Leadership development
Faculty, Professional Staff, and Learners - Advising strategy and models
UME and GME collaborations
Academic and specialty advising
Away clinical electives - Wellbeing and flourishing
Submission Deadline: October 10, 2024
Theme: Better Together
Notes about ratings for all abstract types
Rating Scale for each criterion:
- 1=Poor (major concerns)
- 2=Below Average (minor concerns)
- 3=Average (typical; a majority of proposals should fall here)
- 4=Above Average (better than typical)
- 5=Excellent (truly outstanding)
Overall Decision:
- Accept: (this is an excellent proposal, strongly support it being in the program)
- Accept with Reservations; Please explain: (this proposal has strong qualities but minor concerns, would include in program if space permits)
- Reject; Please explain: (this proposal has major concerns, do not support it being on the program)
Additional information
- System will collect submitter’s contact information, presentation title, content domain, intended audience, and abstract type