Chris Shaltry
Michigan State University
Education, Technology and Innovation Specialist
Focus Session: Using Team-Based Learning to Bridge Perspectives on AI in Health Professions Education
Dr. Shaltry is an Education, Technology, and Innovation Specialist with the College of Human Medicine and the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University. With over twenty years of experience spanning K-12 and higher education, he possesses expertise in curriculum design, instruction across various modalities (face-to-face, online, and hybrid), and the integration of educational technology. Dr. Shaltry earned his M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology from Michigan State University. His interests include enhancing educational equity and access, implementing technology to improve learning outcomes, and exploring the potential of AI (LLMs) in teaching and learning. http://shaltry.net
Michigan State University
Education, Technology and Innovation Specialist
Focus Session: Using Team-Based Learning to Bridge Perspectives on AI in Health Professions Education
Dr. Shaltry is an Education, Technology, and Innovation Specialist with the College of Human Medicine and the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University. With over twenty years of experience spanning K-12 and higher education, he possesses expertise in curriculum design, instruction across various modalities (face-to-face, online, and hybrid), and the integration of educational technology. Dr. Shaltry earned his M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology from Michigan State University. His interests include enhancing educational equity and access, implementing technology to improve learning outcomes, and exploring the potential of AI (LLMs) in teaching and learning. http://shaltry.net
Alexander Shealy
Mississippi State University
Clinical Instructor - Shelter Medicine
Focus Session: Competence, Efficiency, and Confidence: A Framework for Supporting Adaptability and Growth in Health Professions Learners
Immediately following graduation from Mississippi State’s veterinary class of 2020, Dr. Shealy joined MSU faculty in the shelter medicine program where he teaches high quality high volume spay and neuter techniques as well as advanced surgical procedures to 3rd and 4th year veterinary students. Additionally, he has helped form and maintain a partnership between CVM and the local animal shelter where veterinary students gain hands on experience with the care and management of shelter-housed animals. Dr. Shealy is in the early stages of his academic career and has already earned institutional teaching awards for his clinical instruction. He is recognized for his ability to mentor students in high-stakes clinical training, where mistakes could mean life or death. Students appreciate his practical teaching style, calm demeanor in the OR, and willingness to jump in wherever help is needed.
Mississippi State University
Clinical Instructor - Shelter Medicine
Focus Session: Competence, Efficiency, and Confidence: A Framework for Supporting Adaptability and Growth in Health Professions Learners
Immediately following graduation from Mississippi State’s veterinary class of 2020, Dr. Shealy joined MSU faculty in the shelter medicine program where he teaches high quality high volume spay and neuter techniques as well as advanced surgical procedures to 3rd and 4th year veterinary students. Additionally, he has helped form and maintain a partnership between CVM and the local animal shelter where veterinary students gain hands on experience with the care and management of shelter-housed animals. Dr. Shealy is in the early stages of his academic career and has already earned institutional teaching awards for his clinical instruction. He is recognized for his ability to mentor students in high-stakes clinical training, where mistakes could mean life or death. Students appreciate his practical teaching style, calm demeanor in the OR, and willingness to jump in wherever help is needed.
Lawrence Sherman
Meducate Global, LLC
President
Focus Session: Expanding Perspectives: International Opportunities for Medical Science Educators
Dr. Lawrence Sherman FACEHP, CHCP is President, Meducate Global, LLC, a US-based organization involved in the assessment of global healthcare education systems worldwide, faculty development for educators of healthcare professionals, and support of continuing professional development in healthcare worldwide. Lawrence also holds an International Development position with the Association for Medical Education in Europe.
Lawrence has been involved in medical and interprofessional education, with a concentration in continuing education, for over 25 years, and has authored numerous scholarly publications and delivered hundreds of presentations worldwide on topics related to medical education.
Lawrence is active in the continuing education profession worldwide, with key involvement and participation in organizations, societies, and academic institutions globally. Some of the organizations include:
– Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference
– Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions
Meducate Global, LLC
President
Focus Session: Expanding Perspectives: International Opportunities for Medical Science Educators
Dr. Lawrence Sherman FACEHP, CHCP is President, Meducate Global, LLC, a US-based organization involved in the assessment of global healthcare education systems worldwide, faculty development for educators of healthcare professionals, and support of continuing professional development in healthcare worldwide. Lawrence also holds an International Development position with the Association for Medical Education in Europe.
Lawrence has been involved in medical and interprofessional education, with a concentration in continuing education, for over 25 years, and has authored numerous scholarly publications and delivered hundreds of presentations worldwide on topics related to medical education.
Lawrence is active in the continuing education profession worldwide, with key involvement and participation in organizations, societies, and academic institutions globally. Some of the organizations include:
– Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference
– Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions
Jacob Shivley
Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Associate Clinical Professor
Focus Session: Competence, Efficiency, and Confidence: A Framework for Supporting Adaptability and Growth in Health Professions Learners
Jacob M. Shivley, DVM, MS, is an Associate Clinical Professor and Service Chief of Shelter Medicine at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. An award-winning educator, he leads multiple clinical and educational initiatives focused on surgical training, student development, and community service. Dr. Shivley developed the Competence–Efficiency–Confidence (CEC) framework, a model that supports learner adaptability and growth in high-stakes clinical environments. His scholarly work centers on surgical education, reflective practice, and building learner confidence through structured, hands-on experiences.
Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Associate Clinical Professor
Focus Session: Competence, Efficiency, and Confidence: A Framework for Supporting Adaptability and Growth in Health Professions Learners
Jacob M. Shivley, DVM, MS, is an Associate Clinical Professor and Service Chief of Shelter Medicine at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. An award-winning educator, he leads multiple clinical and educational initiatives focused on surgical training, student development, and community service. Dr. Shivley developed the Competence–Efficiency–Confidence (CEC) framework, a model that supports learner adaptability and growth in high-stakes clinical environments. His scholarly work centers on surgical education, reflective practice, and building learner confidence through structured, hands-on experiences.
Aaron Smith
AIBODY
Chief Medical Officer
Focus Session: Active Learning in Pathophysiology: Applications of AI-Enabled Physiology Models
MBChB BSc(Hons) MRCP, previous course lead on 2nd year courses in MSc Internal Medicine Online programme and clinical educator through practicing.
AIBODY
Chief Medical Officer
Focus Session: Active Learning in Pathophysiology: Applications of AI-Enabled Physiology Models
MBChB BSc(Hons) MRCP, previous course lead on 2nd year courses in MSc Internal Medicine Online programme and clinical educator through practicing.
Donggil Song
Texas A&M University
Associate Professor of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution
Focus Session: Harnessing AI for Communication Skills Training in Medical Education: From Pilot Study to Practical Implementation
Dr. Donggil Song, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University. His research lab, Einbrain Lab (www.einbrain.com), focuses on human–AI collaboration, developing AI-driven Extended Reality (XR) systems to enhance human performance and learning.
Texas A&M University
Associate Professor of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution
Focus Session: Harnessing AI for Communication Skills Training in Medical Education: From Pilot Study to Practical Implementation
Dr. Donggil Song, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University. His research lab, Einbrain Lab (www.einbrain.com), focuses on human–AI collaboration, developing AI-driven Extended Reality (XR) systems to enhance human performance and learning.
Mark Speicher
American Association Of Colleges Of Osteopathic Medicine
Senior Vice President, Research, Learning and Innovation
Focus Session: Changing the Psychological Air in Your Learning Environment – How Instructor Signals Impact Well-Being
Mark Speicher, PhD, MHA is Senior Vice President, Research, Learning, and Innovation for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) in Bethesda, MD. Speicher leads AACOM’s research, faculty and leadership development, and innovation programs working closely with member colleges to improve and develop excellent osteopathic medical education programs and apply the principles of data science to the process of selecting, training, and assessing medical students. Previously Speicher was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, where his research focused on improving student outcomes, and explored the quality, number, and specialty choice of trainees. Prior to entering osteopathic medical education, Speicher researched the physician workforce at Arizona State University (ASU), served as Director of the Arizona Medical Board (the regulatory board for allopathic physicians), and worked in hospital administration. Speicher received his doctorate in public administration from ASU, his master's in Health Administration from Duke University, and his bachelor’s in social work from the University of Akron.
American Association Of Colleges Of Osteopathic Medicine
Senior Vice President, Research, Learning and Innovation
Focus Session: Changing the Psychological Air in Your Learning Environment – How Instructor Signals Impact Well-Being
Mark Speicher, PhD, MHA is Senior Vice President, Research, Learning, and Innovation for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) in Bethesda, MD. Speicher leads AACOM’s research, faculty and leadership development, and innovation programs working closely with member colleges to improve and develop excellent osteopathic medical education programs and apply the principles of data science to the process of selecting, training, and assessing medical students. Previously Speicher was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, where his research focused on improving student outcomes, and explored the quality, number, and specialty choice of trainees. Prior to entering osteopathic medical education, Speicher researched the physician workforce at Arizona State University (ASU), served as Director of the Arizona Medical Board (the regulatory board for allopathic physicians), and worked in hospital administration. Speicher received his doctorate in public administration from ASU, his master's in Health Administration from Duke University, and his bachelor’s in social work from the University of Akron.
Krishna Mohan Surapaneni
Panimalar Medical College Hospital & Research Institute
Vice Principal and Professor
Focus Session: Humanizing Medical Education: Bioethics as the Foundation of Flourishing in the Contemporary Educational Revolution
Dr. Surapaneni Krishna Mohan is a distinguished medical teacher and renowned researcher in the fields of Biochemistry, Medical Education, Bioethics and Population Health Informatics. He currently serves as the Vice Principal & Professor of Biochemistry and Heads the Department of Medical Education, Clinical Skills & Simulation and Bioethics at Panimalar Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Chennai, India. His expertise in Medical Education is evidenced by the award of prestigious Joint Masters in Health Professions Education (JMHPE), from Maastricht University, The Netherlands, and Suez Canal University, Egypt and Masters in Health Professions Education (MHPE) from Keele University, UK. He was awarded the prestigious CMCL-FAIMER Fellowship (Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research) in 2009. He has also earned prestigious Fellowships including the International Association of Medical Science Educators (FIAMSE), USA and the Academy of Medical Educators (FAcadMEd), UK. He received Fellowships and certificates from Harvard Macy Institute and Harvard Medical School on Health Professions Education (HPE) and Media & Medicine. With over 23 years of experience, Dr. SKM is renowned for his contributions to advance the fields of biochemistry and health professions education (HPE), having authored over 330 peer-reviewed publications in internationally and nationally reputable journals with high impact factor. His innovative teaching methodologies and dedication to excellence in medical education continue to shape the future of healthcare training and inspire the next generation of physician leaders.
Panimalar Medical College Hospital & Research Institute
Vice Principal and Professor
Focus Session: Humanizing Medical Education: Bioethics as the Foundation of Flourishing in the Contemporary Educational Revolution
Dr. Surapaneni Krishna Mohan is a distinguished medical teacher and renowned researcher in the fields of Biochemistry, Medical Education, Bioethics and Population Health Informatics. He currently serves as the Vice Principal & Professor of Biochemistry and Heads the Department of Medical Education, Clinical Skills & Simulation and Bioethics at Panimalar Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Chennai, India. His expertise in Medical Education is evidenced by the award of prestigious Joint Masters in Health Professions Education (JMHPE), from Maastricht University, The Netherlands, and Suez Canal University, Egypt and Masters in Health Professions Education (MHPE) from Keele University, UK. He was awarded the prestigious CMCL-FAIMER Fellowship (Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research) in 2009. He has also earned prestigious Fellowships including the International Association of Medical Science Educators (FIAMSE), USA and the Academy of Medical Educators (FAcadMEd), UK. He received Fellowships and certificates from Harvard Macy Institute and Harvard Medical School on Health Professions Education (HPE) and Media & Medicine. With over 23 years of experience, Dr. SKM is renowned for his contributions to advance the fields of biochemistry and health professions education (HPE), having authored over 330 peer-reviewed publications in internationally and nationally reputable journals with high impact factor. His innovative teaching methodologies and dedication to excellence in medical education continue to shape the future of healthcare training and inspire the next generation of physician leaders.
John szarek
Geisinger College of Health Sciences School of Medicine
Professor of Pharmacology and Vice Chair of Curriculum
Focus Session: Professional Development of Medical Educators Using the GLASS Tool: Designing Faculty Development Sessions for Leadership in Longitudinal and Integrated Curricula
John L. Szarek, BPharm, PhD - Department of Medical Education, Geisinger College of Health Sciences School of Medicine, Scranton, PA. Dr. Szarek is a Professor of Pharmacology and Vice Chair of Curriculum with extensive experience in integrated curriculum leadership. He has conducted numerous workshops on innovative teaching methodologies and educational leadership, bringing practical experience in implementing the competencies addressed by the GLASS Tool.
Geisinger College of Health Sciences School of Medicine
Professor of Pharmacology and Vice Chair of Curriculum
Focus Session: Professional Development of Medical Educators Using the GLASS Tool: Designing Faculty Development Sessions for Leadership in Longitudinal and Integrated Curricula
John L. Szarek, BPharm, PhD - Department of Medical Education, Geisinger College of Health Sciences School of Medicine, Scranton, PA. Dr. Szarek is a Professor of Pharmacology and Vice Chair of Curriculum with extensive experience in integrated curriculum leadership. He has conducted numerous workshops on innovative teaching methodologies and educational leadership, bringing practical experience in implementing the competencies addressed by the GLASS Tool.
Thomas Thesen
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Associate Professor
PDWS: AI Foundations & Tool Exploration
PDWS: Advanced Applications in Health Professions Education
Focus Session: Beyond Words: Voice-Native AI Patient Actors with Personality and Prosody Analysis for Diagnostic Reasoning and Communication Skills
Thomas Thesen, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Medical Education and Computer Science and serves as the Course Director for Neurology and Neuroscience at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, USA. Research in his lab (https://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/thesen/) focuses on developing open-access teaching tools for healthcare education using innovative technologies, such as Generative AI.
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Associate Professor
PDWS: AI Foundations & Tool Exploration
PDWS: Advanced Applications in Health Professions Education
Focus Session: Beyond Words: Voice-Native AI Patient Actors with Personality and Prosody Analysis for Diagnostic Reasoning and Communication Skills
Thomas Thesen, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Medical Education and Computer Science and serves as the Course Director for Neurology and Neuroscience at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, USA. Research in his lab (https://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/thesen/) focuses on developing open-access teaching tools for healthcare education using innovative technologies, such as Generative AI.
Antolice Thomas
University of California, San Diego
Student/Medical School Applicant
Focus Session: Cultivation of Pre-Professional Identity Formation: Lessons Learned from Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program Students
Antolice Thomas is an alumna of the UC San Diego Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program and a current medical school applicant. She has contributed to the pre-professional identity formation project by piloting key components of the research methods and providing ongoing support as the team refines current and future iterations of the study. She remains committed to work that strengthens medical education and promotes meaningful student development.
University of California, San Diego
Student/Medical School Applicant
Focus Session: Cultivation of Pre-Professional Identity Formation: Lessons Learned from Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program Students
Antolice Thomas is an alumna of the UC San Diego Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program and a current medical school applicant. She has contributed to the pre-professional identity formation project by piloting key components of the research methods and providing ongoing support as the team refines current and future iterations of the study. She remains committed to work that strengthens medical education and promotes meaningful student development.
Robert Tucker
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Resident Doctor
Focus Session: Advancing Your Career in Health Professions Education Scholarship
Rob is an academic foundation doctor in North London with a background of healthcare policy work in medical education. Within the British Medical Association (BMA), Rob was a branch of practice chair leading the UK medical students committee working closely with the GMC, NHS England, Medical Schools Council, and other organisations to improve the experience of undergraduate education. His particular focuses were improvements to medical school/student finances, changes to accessing foundation/speciality training, and widening participation into healthcare degrees.
He studied at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and is now an early-career clinical academic at UCL. Within health professions education, Rob’s areas of interest include student-staff co-creation and NHS workforce planning.
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Resident Doctor
Focus Session: Advancing Your Career in Health Professions Education Scholarship
Rob is an academic foundation doctor in North London with a background of healthcare policy work in medical education. Within the British Medical Association (BMA), Rob was a branch of practice chair leading the UK medical students committee working closely with the GMC, NHS England, Medical Schools Council, and other organisations to improve the experience of undergraduate education. His particular focuses were improvements to medical school/student finances, changes to accessing foundation/speciality training, and widening participation into healthcare degrees.
He studied at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and is now an early-career clinical academic at UCL. Within health professions education, Rob’s areas of interest include student-staff co-creation and NHS workforce planning.
Demidmaa Tuvdendorj
Drexel University College of Medicine
Associate Professor
PDWS: Beyond Satisfaction Ratings: Building a Comprehensive Program Evaluation
Focus Session: A New Era of Learning: Curricular Innovation for a Pass/Fail World
Demidmaa Tuvdendorj is an Associate Professor, Physiology Thread Director at Drexel University College of Medicine. She has been involved in medical and graduate education for more than a decade. She is actively involved in medical education scholarship, and her areas of special interest are curriculum development and assessment. She also devotes significant effort to mentoring students and junior faculty to help them develop leadership skills, as well as interest in educational scholarship.
Drexel University College of Medicine
Associate Professor
PDWS: Beyond Satisfaction Ratings: Building a Comprehensive Program Evaluation
Focus Session: A New Era of Learning: Curricular Innovation for a Pass/Fail World
Demidmaa Tuvdendorj is an Associate Professor, Physiology Thread Director at Drexel University College of Medicine. She has been involved in medical and graduate education for more than a decade. She is actively involved in medical education scholarship, and her areas of special interest are curriculum development and assessment. She also devotes significant effort to mentoring students and junior faculty to help them develop leadership skills, as well as interest in educational scholarship.
Katerina Venderova
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
Associate Professor
Focus Session: Connecting the Dots: Assessing Competency in Medical Knowledge Integration
Katerina Venderova, PharmD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine in Pasadena, CA. She combines her expertise in pharmacology with innovative curriculum design to create active learning experiences that bridge basic science and clinical application and champions the integration of foundational sciences into clinical education through competency-based medical education (CBME) frameworks. Committed to educational scholarship and collaboration, she led initiatives to align assessment and instruction with CBME principles and works across disciplines and organizations to advance integrated, learner-centered approaches that prepare future physicians.
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
Associate Professor
Focus Session: Connecting the Dots: Assessing Competency in Medical Knowledge Integration
Katerina Venderova, PharmD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine in Pasadena, CA. She combines her expertise in pharmacology with innovative curriculum design to create active learning experiences that bridge basic science and clinical application and champions the integration of foundational sciences into clinical education through competency-based medical education (CBME) frameworks. Committed to educational scholarship and collaboration, she led initiatives to align assessment and instruction with CBME principles and works across disciplines and organizations to advance integrated, learner-centered approaches that prepare future physicians.
Gabi Waite
Geisinger College of Health Sciences School of Medicine
Professor
Focus Session: Professional Development of Medical Educators Using the GLASS Tool: Designing Faculty Development Sessions for Leadership in Longitudinal and Integrated Curricula
Gabi N. Waite, PhD, CMHFA, is Professor of Physiology and Immunology and Vice Chair of Medical Education at Geisinger College of Health Sciences. A recognized leader in medical education, Dr. Waite has directed and taught integrated, clinically framed physiology curricula for over two decades, pioneering active learning and flipped classroom models. She oversees Phase 1 curriculum design, integration, and assessment, mentors faculty across disciplines, and contributes nationally through workshops on curriculum leadership, faculty development, and AI-enhanced education. Her scholarship spans physiology education, curricular innovation, and mentoring strategies, and she has authored multiple textbooks and chapters in foundational sciences. Dr. Waite is a Distinguished Member of the Academy of Educators and an inaugural member of the Association of Physiology Chairs.
Geisinger College of Health Sciences School of Medicine
Professor
Focus Session: Professional Development of Medical Educators Using the GLASS Tool: Designing Faculty Development Sessions for Leadership in Longitudinal and Integrated Curricula
Gabi N. Waite, PhD, CMHFA, is Professor of Physiology and Immunology and Vice Chair of Medical Education at Geisinger College of Health Sciences. A recognized leader in medical education, Dr. Waite has directed and taught integrated, clinically framed physiology curricula for over two decades, pioneering active learning and flipped classroom models. She oversees Phase 1 curriculum design, integration, and assessment, mentors faculty across disciplines, and contributes nationally through workshops on curriculum leadership, faculty development, and AI-enhanced education. Her scholarship spans physiology education, curricular innovation, and mentoring strategies, and she has authored multiple textbooks and chapters in foundational sciences. Dr. Waite is a Distinguished Member of the Academy of Educators and an inaugural member of the Association of Physiology Chairs.
Katie Wells
The University of Vermont
Director, Socia Medicine
Focus Session: Restorative Justice in Academic Medicine: Healing Harm, Building Trust, Cultivating Resilient Communities
Katie Wells, MD, MPH is an emergency medicine physician and Director of Social Medicine at the Larner College of Medicine, where she also serves as faculty advisor for the Student Social Justice Coalition. In these roles, she has integrated social justice principles into clinical education and co-facilitated circle processes that address concerns of both students and faculty. Dr. Wells brings frontline experience from both clinical practice and medical education, ensuring that restorative approaches are contextualized within both patient care and academic environments.
The University of Vermont
Director, Socia Medicine
Focus Session: Restorative Justice in Academic Medicine: Healing Harm, Building Trust, Cultivating Resilient Communities
Katie Wells, MD, MPH is an emergency medicine physician and Director of Social Medicine at the Larner College of Medicine, where she also serves as faculty advisor for the Student Social Justice Coalition. In these roles, she has integrated social justice principles into clinical education and co-facilitated circle processes that address concerns of both students and faculty. Dr. Wells brings frontline experience from both clinical practice and medical education, ensuring that restorative approaches are contextualized within both patient care and academic environments.
Alison Whelan
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - Washington, DC
Chief Academic Officer
Focus Session: Flourishing as Role Models: Empowering Basic Science Educators to Drive Competency-Based Medical Education
Dr. Whelan is the Chief Academic Officer at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) leads a staff that addresses critical medical school data, administrative, and operational issues; explores new models of successful mission alignment; focuses on key student and faculty issues; transforms current models of education and workforce preparation across the full continuum of medical education. Her team created the Foundational Competencies for UME, and she is a national leader in CBME. Prior to joining the association in 2016 as Chief Medical Education Officer, Dr. Whelan served as Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She held multiple education roles: Genetics course director, clerkship director, curriculum dean and ultimately was appointed the inaugural Senior Associate Dean for Education. Dr. Whelan is an internist and clinical geneticist.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - Washington, DC
Chief Academic Officer
Focus Session: Flourishing as Role Models: Empowering Basic Science Educators to Drive Competency-Based Medical Education
Dr. Whelan is the Chief Academic Officer at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) leads a staff that addresses critical medical school data, administrative, and operational issues; explores new models of successful mission alignment; focuses on key student and faculty issues; transforms current models of education and workforce preparation across the full continuum of medical education. Her team created the Foundational Competencies for UME, and she is a national leader in CBME. Prior to joining the association in 2016 as Chief Medical Education Officer, Dr. Whelan served as Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She held multiple education roles: Genetics course director, clerkship director, curriculum dean and ultimately was appointed the inaugural Senior Associate Dean for Education. Dr. Whelan is an internist and clinical geneticist.
Paul Zarutskie
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Focus Session: Harnessing AI for Communication Skills Training in Medical Education: From Pilot Study to Practical Implementation
Dr. Paul Zarutskie, MD, is Professor of Obstetrics&Gynecology, Clinical Medicine and Primary Care at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM). At the national level he is recognized for developing successful initiatives in patient/consumer advocacy and education with emphasis on utilization of media and Internet communications. Dr Zarutskie has an active record of scholarly accomplishments which includes over 100 publications, abstracts, and book chapters. He has served as a reviewer for specialty peer review journals and has received 13 extramural grants including NIH/NICHD funded grants. At SHSU-COM, Dr. Zarutskie is engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations that include initiatives that engage students in employing artificial intelligence technologies across diverse academic and clinical fields—such as medicine, psychology, public health, and data sciences.
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Focus Session: Harnessing AI for Communication Skills Training in Medical Education: From Pilot Study to Practical Implementation
Dr. Paul Zarutskie, MD, is Professor of Obstetrics&Gynecology, Clinical Medicine and Primary Care at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM). At the national level he is recognized for developing successful initiatives in patient/consumer advocacy and education with emphasis on utilization of media and Internet communications. Dr Zarutskie has an active record of scholarly accomplishments which includes over 100 publications, abstracts, and book chapters. He has served as a reviewer for specialty peer review journals and has received 13 extramural grants including NIH/NICHD funded grants. At SHSU-COM, Dr. Zarutskie is engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations that include initiatives that engage students in employing artificial intelligence technologies across diverse academic and clinical fields—such as medicine, psychology, public health, and data sciences.
Vania Zayat
UCF College of Medicine
Associate Professor
Focus Session: Make the Match: Designing Interactive Lab-Clinical Correlation Games for Medical Learners
Dr. Zayat is an Associate Professor of Pathology at University of Central Florida, College of Medicine. She is a medical educator that focuses on active learning, clinical reasoning, and technology integration. She developed a novel EHR-integrated Team-Based Learning activity used in preclinical medical education and is passionate about equipping educators with innovative, practical tools to enhance student engagement and real-world readiness.
UCF College of Medicine
Associate Professor
Focus Session: Make the Match: Designing Interactive Lab-Clinical Correlation Games for Medical Learners
Dr. Zayat is an Associate Professor of Pathology at University of Central Florida, College of Medicine. She is a medical educator that focuses on active learning, clinical reasoning, and technology integration. She developed a novel EHR-integrated Team-Based Learning activity used in preclinical medical education and is passionate about equipping educators with innovative, practical tools to enhance student engagement and real-world readiness.
Yuan Zhao
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professor and Department Chair
Focus Session: Harnessing AI for Communication Skills Training in Medical Education: From Pilot Study to Practical Implementation
Dr. Yuan Zhao, PhD, is a Professor and Chair of the Molecular and Cellular Biology Department at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has led national and institutional initiatives advancing medical education innovation, securing extramural funding and publishing widely on curriculum design and pedagogy. As principal investigator of a recent pilot study on AI-assisted training, Dr. Zhao brings recognized leadership in integrating emerging technologies into health professions education.
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professor and Department Chair
Focus Session: Harnessing AI for Communication Skills Training in Medical Education: From Pilot Study to Practical Implementation
Dr. Yuan Zhao, PhD, is a Professor and Chair of the Molecular and Cellular Biology Department at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has led national and institutional initiatives advancing medical education innovation, securing extramural funding and publishing widely on curriculum design and pedagogy. As principal investigator of a recent pilot study on AI-assisted training, Dr. Zhao brings recognized leadership in integrating emerging technologies into health professions education.