Full Faculty Retreats

Two retreats are held annually for faculty of MUSM. The fall retreat is dedicated to renewing the faculty’s commitment to education and preparing for the academic year. A full day is dedicated to the faculty’s input on the challenges the year brings. A kick-off dinner is held the evening before the event. The spring event focuses on particular skill building for faculty. Please be sure to RSVP to Pamela Benedict, benedict_pl@mercer.edu or call her at (478) 301-5442. Faculty Retreat News Writing Workshop and USMLE Review Revised March 7, 2005 The workshop was a huge success. Faculty learned the details of writing board-type questions from Aggie Butler, PhD, Associate Vice President of the National Board of Medical Examiners. Faculty from basic science and clinical departments worked together to improve their item writing skills. Dr. Butler also described the NBME and how items are written for Step 1 and Step 2. She also presented feedback on the new clinical examinations.   Follow-up sessions will be offered to prepare more board-like questions for our student evaluations.

 
Fall Faculty Workshop - "Professionalism/Effective Tutoring"
October 7-8, 2005

The annual fall faculty development retreat was a tremendous success. One respondent stated, “This was the most valuable faculty development workshop I have yet attended”. Fifty faculty members attended the Friday afternoon session, October 7, to learn about dealing with difficult people and professionalism. Dr. Linda Austin was an outstanding presenter and facilitator. Thirty faculty members attended the Saturday morning session. Respondents particularly appreciated hearing from our own faculty who reflected on their personal experiences as tutors, Drs. Allison Scheetz, Mike Brown, and Charlie Reagan. Sara Morgan, president of the second year class, also provided the perspectives of a student. Faculty noted the camaraderie and also learned some ways in which to use the tutor development tool for improving (defining) the evaluation process. At the conclusion of the workshop, faculty identified a need to develop a peer review process that also included self, students, and peers. Dr. Dalton, dean of MUSM, congratulated the Tutor Development Team on developing the tutor guide but also charged them to "keep up the good work and tackle the difficult area of peer review.” The Tutor Development Team will continue its work this academic year. It is anticipated that the 2006 fall faculty workshop will address the next steps and have a program for peer review. In addition the team will offer opportunities to discuss the tutor guide and identify other frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) to be added to the guide. Download a printable copy of the descriptive summary Posted October 24, 2005