CUIMC Holds Annual Project Medical Education with Local Leaders

On Monday, July 29th Columbia University Irving Medical Center held its 9th annual Project Medical Education (PME). The PME program provides participants with a unique opportunity for an up-close and personal look at medical education, and the day-to-day activities of an academic medical center, such as Columbia University. By participating in the CUIMC PME program, attendees not only learn about the overall operations of the medical center, but also hear about the challenges and opportunities we face in advancing our education, research, patient care, and service missions from leadership.

The day began with a welcome by Steven Shea, Senior Vice Dean, an overview of CUIMC finances by Will Mckoy, Chief Financial Officer, and an introduction to research at the medical center by Rudi Odeh-Ramadan, Vice President for Research Administration. Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Lisa Mellman and Associate Professor of Medicine Endocrinology, Salila Kurra also discussed medical education at Columbia.

After a brief tour of the Vagelos Education Center, this year's 25 participants visited the New York State Psychiatric Institute for an overview of the Center of Excellence for Cultural Competence with Dr. Roberto Lewis-Hernandez and a look into brain slicing in Dr. Mark Underwood’s lab. At the Mailman School of Public Health, participants met with Dean Linda Fried, worked through a simulation exercise in a disease outbreak, and visited Dr. Mat Perzanowski to discuss asthma related research in the environmental health lab.

Attendees then heard from several representatives from the College of Dental Medicine, including Dean Christian Stohler and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Jim Fine, followed by a visit with Dr. Robin Goland Director of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center for an overview of diabetes research. The day ended with Dean Judy Honig for a tour of the School of Nursing’s simulation center, as well as CPR training from Kellie Bryant, Assistant Professor of Nursing.

Project Medical Education attendees include community leaders, elected officials, and local residents, and those who have attended the program found it to be a rewarding and educational experience.