Fellow Highlights

Congratulations to Supten Sarbadhikari (PSG 2007) on his recent appointment as the Director of Centre for Health Informatics and the Project Director of the National Health Portal of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Congratulations to S. Ayhan Caliskan (PHIL 2008), who was recently promoted to Associate Professor of Medical Education at Ege Universitesi in Izmir, Turkey.

Congratulations to Surapaneni Krishna Mohan (CMCL 2009) on his promotion to Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Saveetha University.

Dr. Mohan also recently coauthored the following article:

Surapaneni KM, Tekian A. Concept mapping enhances learning of biochemistry. Medical Education Online. 2013;18:20157.

Dr. Mohan recently completed the Joint Master of Health Professions Education (JMHPE) program overseen by Maastricht University in The Netherlands and Suez Canal University in Egypt. Dr. Mohan received his Professional Master of Health Professions Education (M.H.P.E.) degree on April 28, 2012, during the graduation ceremony held at Suez Canal University.

Dr. Mohan also successfully fulfilled the requirements of the Essential Skills in Medical Education (ESME) course, conducted by the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) and the University of Dundee, Scotland, and was granted an ESME Certificate in Medical Education on July 31, 2012.

Additionally, Dr. Mohan has been awarded the Chartered Scientist (CSci) qualification, which represents a single chartered mark for all scientists, recognizing high levels of professionalism and competence in science, by The Science Council and The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in the United Kingdom.

Congratulations to Dinesh Badyal (CMCL 2007, PHIL 2009), who was awarded an M. L. Gupta Prize in Medical Education and Technology by the Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India (APPI) for the year 2012 in recognition of his substantial contributions to medical education and technology, with special reference to physiology/pharmacology or allied sciences in India. The award was presented during the inaugural session of the Annual Conference of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India (APPICON 2012), held at Subharti Medical College, Meerut, on December 18, 2012, where Dr. Badyal also delivered a speech on “Medical Education in India: Effectiveness and Relevance of Faculty Development Programs in India.”

Congratulations to Sucheta Dandekar (PHIL 2010) on the publication of the following article, coauthored by Shalini N. Maksane and Danette McKinley:

Dandekar SP, Maksane SN, McKinley D. A survey validation and analysis of undergraduate medical biochemistry practical curriculum in Maharashtra, India. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry. 2012;27(1):52-60.

The article provides analysis of a study of the opinions of biochemistry faculty members at Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) on the efficacy of the university’s biochemistry practical curriculum in achieving specified learning objectives. Strengths and weaknesses of the existing MUHS curriculum are identified, and a case is made for restructuring the curriculum and introducing a modified curriculum with more clinical relevance.

Congratulations to Mangala Subramanian (GSMC 2009) on the following publication:

Subramanian M. Handbook of Community Medicine. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; 2012.

The handbook, intended for medical, dental, nursing, and paramedical students, was written in a concise manner and published in a smaller, handier size (8.5 x 5.5 inches).

Congratulations to Muhammad Tariq (PHIL 2009; IFME 2012), who was recently appointed as examiner for Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (FCPS) at the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan.

Dr. Tariq also recently served as Course Director of a comprehensive FCPS/Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) II course at Aga Khan University (AKU). He conducted a theory course from July 2-9, comprised of 20 case-based interactive sessions followed by a three-hour mock exam. Approximately 20 faculty members helped facilitate these sessions. Dr. Tariq also conducted a clinical course from August 27-September 6, comprised of case-based interactive clinical sessions overseen by faculty and using real and simulated patients. Approximately 50 faculty members helped facilitate the various clinical activities. He himself was also actively involved in teaching during the course. Dr. Tariq reports that 30 candidates participated in the course—the majority hailing from AKU and other Pakistani institutions, with one each from Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Certificate distribution took place on September 6.

In addition, Dr. Tariq is lead author of the following publication:

Tariq M, Syed NA, Motiwala A, Jafri W, Hameed K, Islam N, Riaz M, Awan S, Akhter J, Talati J. Effectiveness of educational interventions in improving clinical competence of residents in an internal medicine residency program in Pakistan. Education for Health [Internet]. 2011;24(3):573.

Congratulations to FAIMER faculty member Rita Sood (PHIL 2005) on the publication of the following article, coauthored by N. Ananthakrishnan:

Sood R, Ananthakrishnan N. Reforming medical curriculum in India in recent years: Conflicts of political, regulator, educationist and professional natures and strategies for their resolution. International Journal of User-Driven Healthcare. 2012;2(1):1-13.

The article identifies four attempts made over the past two decades to reform the undergraduate and postgraduate medical curricula in India; three aimed at redesigning the undergraduate curriculum and one aimed at improving the postgraduate curriculum. The authors, both of whom were involved in these reform efforts, explain that although curricular innovations have been initiated and institutionalized at many individual medical schools in India in recent years, attempts to date to bring about change at a national level have not been successful. They explore the conflicts encountered between political, educationist, professional, and regulatory stakeholders; and the ways in which curricular reform efforts are often reduced to battles between competing powerful entities, with little involvement of the true stakeholders, the medical students and the populace at large. The article was posted on FAIMER’s Facebook page on June 18.

Congratulations to FAIMER Global Faculty member Wagdy Talaat (PHIL 2007) on the recent publication of the following Arabic language book:

Problem Based Learning for Health Professions: Why and Why Not

This publication is the third Arabic language book that Dr. Talaat has published for the World Health Organization – Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (WHO-EMRO) in 2012. The books will be disseminated among health professions education institutions in 22 Arab countries by the WHO-EMRO. Dr. Talaat also reports that he will be publishing two English language books for the WHO over the next year: one about community based education and the other about problem based learning; and that he will be coauthoring these publications with two of his FAIMER colleagues.

Congratulations to Anuj Chawla (PHIL 2011) on his recent appointment as Professor and Head of the Department of Physiology at Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)! Dr. Chawla, whose appointment makes him the youngest professor and head at AFMC, has also assumed the rank of Colonel.

FAIMER Institute Fellows Yasser El-Wazir (PHIL 2009) and Omayma Hamed (PHIL 2011) presented at the Fourth National Workshop for Round Four of the Diploma of Health Professions Education (D.H.P.E.) at the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt, on June 28, 2012. Professor Wagdy Talaat (PHIL 2007) presided over the workshop, which focused on three aspects of health professions education: students’ performance assessment, management and leadership in health professions education, and presentation skills and critical thinking.

Dr. El-Wazir was also appointed Director of the Quality Assurance Center of Suez Canal University in March 2012. The center is responsible for supervision of the quality assurance units for all 22 faculties at the university, and provides support to the faculties with the goal of obtaining national accreditation. The center helps the quality assurance units establish systems of internal quality control and write proposals to obtain external funds for developing infrastructure and academic performance in teaching and learning activities. For the faculties that are awarded funds, the center has an active role in following up on the implementation of their projects and reporting to the funding authority. So far, five faculties plan to apply for national accreditation during the 2012-2013 academic year.

SAFRI 2012 Fellow Zerihun Wolde Gebremichael organized and led a workshop aimed at establishing a medical education department at Hawassa University in Hawassa, Ethiopia, from June 18-19, 2012. Dr. Gebremichael invited fellow Ethiopian FAIMER Fellows Solomon Worku Beza (PHIL 2010), Project Manager, Continuing Medical Education at Jhpiego Ethiopia and Adjunct Professor at Jimma University, and Tegbar Yigzaw Sendekie (PHIL 2009), Deputy Director, USAID Strengthening Human Resources for Health Project at Jhpiego Ethiopia and Adjunct Professor at Gondar College of Medical Sciences to help facilitate the workshop. Presentations and group activities explored how the department might be organized, what functions it should assume, and possible areas of educational research. A total of 40 Hawassa University faculty members attended the workshop, and feedback from the administration has been positive. Following the workshop, faculty members developed research proposals on medical education, which will be funded on a competitive basis.

This workshop is, as FAIMER faculty member Di Manning (PHIL 2008) states, “A fantastic example of collaborative work between Fellows in the same country from different FAIMER Institutes.”

Congratulations to GSMC-FAIMER Regional Institute Director Avinash Supe (PHIL 2002), who is lead author of the following publication:

Supe A, Prabhu R, Harris I, Downing S, Tekian A. Structured training on box trainers for first year surgical residents: Does it improve retention of laparoscopic skills? A randomized controlled study. Journal of Surgical Education. 2012;69(5):624-632.

The article presents the results of a study done to assess improvement in laparoscopic skills of surgical trainees after structured training on box trainers, compared with traditional training (observing and assisting laparoscopic procedures in the operation rooms) immediately and after five months. Results suggest that structured training on box trainers, in addition to traditional training, leads to better skills and improved confidence of surgical residents.

Congratulations to Vinod Pallath (GSMC 2008), who in January 2012 earned his Ph.D. in Medical Education from Manipal University. Dr. Pallath credits both Manipal University Vice Chancellor K. Ramnarayan (1986-1987 participant in ECFMG’s Foreign Faculty Fellowship Program in the Basic Medical Sciences [FFFP]) and Manipal Centre for Professional and Personal Development Deputy Director Ciraj Ali Mohammed (CMCL 2008, PHIL 2010), for guiding him through the challenges of the Ph.D. program. Dr. Pallath’s doctoral thesis is titled “Perceptions of Teaching-Learning Environment with Special Reference to Microbiology: A Study on Undergraduate Medical Students of Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal University.” The study attempts to define the complex teaching-learning environment of Melaka Manipal Medical College and to understand the influence of the perceived educational environment on students’ study approaches.

Dr. Pallath was voted Best Teacher by students at Melaka Manipal Medical College for the Phase I, Stage IIA M.B.B.S. program for the 2010-2011 academic year. He also received the Good Teacher Award for Excellence in Teaching on December 2, 2011.

GSMC-FAIMER Regional Institute 2008 Fellow Chinmay Shah was recently selected to serve as Secretary of the Bhavnagar Branch of the Indian Medical Association. In addition, he was appointed Associate Editor of the Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health, contributing editor to MedEdWorld, and Assistant Editor of the Indian Journal for the Practising Doctor, published by the Directorate of Health, Kashmir. Dr. Shah also sits on the advisory board of the International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health and is an editor for the National Journal of Integrated Research in Medicine.

Recently, Dr. Shah was invited to a national symposium on The Impact of SuJok & Triorigin Sciences to deliver a lecture on “How to Write and Present Case Reports.” He was also invited to the Basic Course Workshop on Medical Education Technology, held at Government Medical College, Surat, and organized by Priti Kapadia-Gupta (GSMC 2010), to lead sessions on “Principles of Assessment, Essay Question, SAQ, MEQ” and “Introduction to Feedback.” In February, Dr. Shah presented his poster titled “Students’ Perception of Different Teaching Aids in a Medical College” at the 1^st International Conference on Research and Training in Health Professions Education (ICON-RIPE 2012) in Belgaum, India.

Recent articles by Dr. Shah include:

Shah C, Joshi N, Mehta HB, Gokhle PA. Learning styles adopted by medical students. International Research Journal of Pharmacy. 2011;2(12):227-229

Shah CJ, Baxi SN, Parmar RD, Parmar D, Tripathi CB. Item analysis of MCQ from presently available MCQ books. Indian Journal for the Practising Doctor. 2011;6(1):26-30.

His presentation of “Item Analysis of MCQ from Presently Available MCQ Books” received third prize at the 6^th Annual Conference of the Anatomical Society of India.

Congratulations to Milagros Rabe (PHIL 2005), who was recently appointed Head of the Department of Physiology at University of the East/Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, Philippines. Dr. Rabe was also recently commissioned to do research for a validation study at the Manila branch of the Japanese company Terumo Medical Corporation, in collaboration with the Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation, Inc.

Congratulations to Fouzia Shersad (GSMC 2009), who gave a presentation on January 25, 2012, at the Medical Education in the 21st Century Conference as part of the Arab Health Congress in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dr. Shersad’s presentation, “The Role of Student Feedback in Institutional Effectiveness,” focused on the benefits of using student feedback for improving health professions education at the institutional level. The Arab Health Congress is the world’s largest continuing medical education accredited multitrack medical congress, and “aims to introduce key issues that are related to the current trends, innovations and directions in medical education.”