Message from the Chair

Within the past two and one-half years, the idea of a separate foundation to support ECFMG in promoting excellence in international medical education has moved from concept to reality. During this short period, the contours of the Foundation have taken shape, and it has begun to approach the important tasks for which it was established—the enhancement of medical education and health care worldwide. During 2002, there were several significant milestones against which we can measure the Foundation's progress, and its potential.

The Board successfully recruited John J. Norcini, Ph.D., to serve as the Foundation's first President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Norcini joined FAIMER in May 2002, following an accomplished career with the American Board of Internal Medicine in Philadelphia. He brings a wealth of experience to the position, and his talents and energy have been instrumental in FAIMER's recent successes. We look forward to working closely with him in years to come.

The past year was critical in planning the activities of the Foundation. Throughout the year, FAIMER's Board of Directors continued work to identify directions that would allow the Foundation to maximize its impact on international medical education. The small group discussions that took place during the July 2002 Board meeting were particularly productive. This series of discussions resulted in three clearly-defined areas within which FAIMER will concentrate its efforts: informational resources on the world's medical schools, educational programs for medical school faculty, and meaningful research that it will share with others in the field of international medical education.

This careful planning and focus are necessary to ensure the best use of resources. As an endowed foundation, FAIMER must always use its funds appropriately. However, the judicious use of resources is particularly important during periods of difficult market conditions, like those we have experienced in recent years. We are pleased that FAIMER's activities have continued to operate smoothly under such conditions, particularly with financial assistance from ECFMG, whose Board of Trustees has generously agreed to provide additional resources for the coming year. Partnering with other organizations is also an effective way of leveraging resources. Collaborative efforts are clearly within the scope of activities outlined by the Board for FAIMER, and Dr. Norcini has already established dialogues with several potential partners.

While planning for new initiatives continues, it is important to note that FAIMER has successfully assumed responsibility for existing programs for international medical educators that were formerly administered by ECFMG. These programs, which include the International Fellowships in Medical Education (IFME), the Short-Term Exchange Fellowships (STEF), the Institutional Grant Program, and the Consultation Program, provide participants with the skills and knowledge essential to improving medical education programs at their home country institutions. We anticipate that these programs will benefit from FAIMER's clear focus and integration with its other activities.

The development of the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) is a major accomplishment in FAIMER's efforts to create informational resources. Introduced in April 2002, IMED is a web-based database that provides basic information on medical schools and their curricula. IMED is one example of how FAIMER's activities can have a positive impact by creating resources for use by other organizations and researchers working within the field of international medical education. IMED also directly supports ECFMG in its primary mission of evaluating the qualifications of international medical graduates who wish to enter graduate medical education in the United States. ECFMG now requires that applicants for ECFMG Certification be students or graduates of a medical school listed in IMED.

The development of the Foundation has seen important progress. The groundwork that will allow FAIMER to be an important contributor in the field of international medical education has been established. The Foundation has important resources, including a dedicated staff, Chief Executive, and Board of Directors, and is beginning to fulfill the role envisioned by ECFMG's Trustees, who established it. We will continue to exercise diligence in planning and evaluating its operational activities and managing its resources that will protect this potential and the benefits for international medical education and health care that it can produce.

James A. Hallock, M.D.
Chair, Board of Directors
Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research