During her time in that position, Byerley oversaw the transition to the Translational Education at Carolina (TEC) curriculum. The TEC curriculum has offered UNC’s medical students earlier opportunities to participate in patient care, integrated the teaching of basic science and clinical skills, promoted active learning and collaboration, and utilized modern technology such as advanced simulation.
Under Byerley’s leadership, the UNC School of Medicine has also worked tirelessly to train the next generation of providers to deal with our state’s pressing health needs. The Office of Rural Initiatives was created and efforts to recruit students interested in rural service have been expanded. In addition, enhanced education on the state’s opioid crisis and other timely topics have been added to the curriculum.
Byerley has also played a key role in the planning and design of the UNC School of Medicine’s new Medical Education Building. Construction on the facility will begin in 2019, with completion scheduled for 2022.
The new facility will better reflect the way medicine is presently taught, incorporating two floors dedicated to clinical skills and simulated learning, with flexible labs, classroom, study and collaboration spaces.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to advance the goals of the UNC School of Medicine’s 2018 Strategic plan, including aligning educational resources for all of our learners, advancing opportunities in research, clinical trials, and entrepreneurship, and expanding the positive impact our students and faculty make across North Carolina,” Byerley said.
Byerley joined the UNC School of Medicine faculty in 2002. During her time at UNC, she has also served as director of the pediatric clerkship program, co-chair of the clinical curriculum committee, and director of the pediatrics residency program. She has also served as president of the UNC School of Medicine’s Academy of Educators.