WELCOME
On behalf of Richard S. Baker, M.D., Vice Dean of Medical Education, we would like to welcome you to the third volume of the "You Said, We Did" (YSWD) Newsletter. As a Continuous Quality Improvement organization, the Wayne State University School of Medicine has directly utilized feedback from many of our stakeholders, including students, to make significant changes the last several years. The purpose of the newsletter is to highlight these changes and to celebrate your involvement in these accomplishments. As you prepare to graduate and leave the Wayne State University School of Medicine, we want to let you know that you are leaving the institution in better shape than when you joined it. One of the goals of this YSWD campaign is to let students know that we value their input and are continually incorporating it into our ongoing and new initiatives.
This week's edition: Learning Communities
The School of Medicine Physicians-in-Training Learning Communities support and encourage networking, coaching, professional identity and empowerment. With help from the administration, the Class of 2021 pioneered the emerging programming. Unity and pride, mentorship and scholarship, are the pillars and initiatives identified as necessary to bond medical students.
Despite the sudden halt of face-to-face interactions, the pandemic made WSU and Detroit home away from home, and fostered the development of lifelong friendships and professional networks. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, we sustained flourishing essential study and accountability relationships.
Though research proves that students involved in Learning Communities show greater academic achievement and are more motivated, observation and student commentary in the monthly Learning Community Coordinator meetings moved us to cultivate virtual engagement.
During the last year, students voiced the desire for opportunities for fellowship with incoming M1 students to nurture comradeship. Students also expressed the need to foster previously formed acquaintances. We recognized the importance of those desires and assisted with planning activities and incentivized those activities with Amazon and Uber Eats gift cards. Some of the virtual monthly events we supported, sponsored and/or arranged with help of the Learning Community coordinators included:
Unity and Pride
- Family Feud Learning Community Edition
- Game Night with Jack Box
- Medical Trivia
- Spooky Trivia
- Mystery Party NIght
- Happy Hour Charts
Mentorship
- Weekly check-ins
- Occasional meet-ups with clinical mentors
- Residents on the Pandemic Frontline: Virtual Conversation series
- Social Justice Summit
- Meet the Matched
Scholarship
- Published schlarly article
- Attendance and presentations at national conferences
- Learning Community workshops, training and webinars
“Our Learning Communities facilitate a space for students to show up as themselves," Said Academic Services Officer, LaToya Sherman. "As they experience medical school and form professional identities, the Learning Community programming enhances involvement and encompasses a catalog of resources that support student development. I am an advocate for our students. I am thrilled to mentor and oversee the execution of ideas and projects that contribute to their success.”
The consensus is that everyone wants to have Learning Community activities in person. In the meantime, “the opportunity to have unstructured and non-required time with peers is refreshing and much needed.” --Anonymous
The members of the Class of 2021 are the stewards and mentors who helped mold the Learning Communities and Peer Mentor program into a culture of openness, safety, support and fun. With the pillars as the focal point, we will continue to encourage engagement and support medical students.
The Wayne State University School of Medicine continues to strive toward a culture of continuous quality improvement and greatly values input from our students. During the next couple of weeks, new editions of “You Said, We Did” will discuss improvements in the following areas:
- Financial Aid/Debt Management
- Academic Advising
- Health and Wellness
- Career Planning
- Student Engagement/Learning Communities
- Representation of students on committees
- Social Justice, Diversity and Inclusion
- Professional Development
We want to hear from you
If you have any topics you would like to know about or have suggestions to how we can improve as a medical school, connect via the Warrior Med Suggestion Program.
The purpose of the Warrior Med Suggestions Program is to ensure each stakeholder of the School of Medicine has the opportunity to provide suggestions and feedback that may improve the organization’s mission. This program will serve as the mechanism that will drive the culture of Continuous Quality Improvement within the School of Medicine. These opportunities for improvement will drive cultural change and allow leaders to make a positive impact on a pathway to organizational excellence.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to reach us at oaacqi@med.wayne.edu. Thank you.
Kanye L. Gardner - Director of Continuous Quality Improvement - Office of Assessment, Accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement
Volume 1 catalog of issues available here: Volume 1 - #1 - April 8, 2021 | Volume 1 - #2 - April 15, 2021 | Volume 1 - #3 - April 22, 2021 | Volume 1 - #4 - April 29, 2021 | Volume 1 - #5 - May 6, 2021
Credits:
Medical Communications