The University of North Carolina School of Medicine (SOM) seeks an innovative, collaborative leader to serve as the Assistant Dean for Preclinical Curriculum in the Offices of Medical Student Education. This position reports directly to the Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs and requires 40% FTE. Applications are due by Sunday, February 26.
Position Description
The University of North Carolina School of Medicine (SOM) seeks an innovative, collaborative leader to serve as the Assistant Dean for Preclinical Curriculum in the Offices of Medical Student Education. This position reports directly to the Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs.
The Assistant Dean for Preclinical Curriculum provides leadership for the preclinical curriculum (Foundation Phase of the Medical Doctorate program). The Assistant Dean will work closely with the Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs, the Assistant Dean for Clinical Curriculum, and the Senior Director for Curricular Affairs to provide a comprehensive, innovative education for medical students in the Foundation Phase with attention to the continued emphasis of the basic sciences in the Application Phase and Individualization Phase. This individual will also work collaboratively with the entire Offices of Medical Student Education at UNC-Chapel Hill and other educational leaders.
Major Responsibilities:
- Oversee all preclinical educational activities in the Offices of Medical Student Education with attention to the continued emphasis on the integration of the basic sciences in the Application Phase and Individualization Phase
- Ensure that the preclinical curriculum and program evaluation are aligned with LCME accreditation standards as well as preparation of accreditation documents with attention to those standards that are specific to preclinical areas
- Coordinate efforts with Office of Academic Excellence to ensure that students are prepared to take and pass the USMLE Step 1 Examination without delay
- Coordinate with the Medical Science Directors for the various Medical Science courses on the NBME examination customization process
- Collaborate with OMSE colleagues to facilitate hiring processes for Foundation Phase leaders and course directors, as needed
- Partner with Foundation Phase staff to develop and revise operations processes as needed to support the curriculum (e.g., scheduling, attendance processes, etc.)
- Lead efforts in continuous quality improvement in the medical student preclinical curriculum, including curriculum innovation, competency-based assessments, curriculum mapping, course evaluations and revisions, faculty development and evaluations, and participation and implementation of initiatives developed from the Medical Doctorate Education Committee
- Contribute to student support by attending the Student Support Committee (SSC) and Student Progress Committee (SPC)
- Partner with Foundation Phase leaders and students to provide strategic direction, hear and address curricular concerns, and respond to acute issues
- Work collaboratively with staff and leadership in the Offices of Medical Student Education, including attendance at meetings of the Education Committee, OMSE deans, Phase leaders, Foundation Phase itself, and student officers
- Assist in ensuring opportunities for preceptor and educator development across all Clinical Week sites
- Engage nationally to be up to date on innovations in curricula and educational pedagogy and enhance UNC’s national reputation through scholarly presentations and publications
Qualifications:
- A PhD, medical degree, or MD/PhD
- The chosen candidate must have an appointment to the faculty of one of the departments of the School of Medicine
- Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in leadership with a focus on curriculum development and working with medical students
- Demonstrated commitment to advance a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion; ability to work with and support a diverse student body
- Effective communication and organizational skills
- Excellent skills to work collaboratively and act deliberately in sensitive situations and strong conflict management skills
- Commitment to evidence-based pedagogy and expertise in curriculum assessment and implementation
- Demonstrated ability to lead and to develop professional staff teams
Consideration of internal candidates will begin immediately. We invite all interested candidates to submit application materials to Courtney Sola (Courtney.Sola@unchealth.unc.edu) by February 26, 2023 at 11:59p. A committee chaired by Dr. Alice Chuang will review and interview the candidates. Women and other individuals identifying as members of underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.
Application materials to submit:
- 1 page cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement from the candidate’s Department chair that they are aware of the applicant’s interest in this position and that they will agree to their time and effort for this role if selected. The applicant must be able to commit 40% FTE to this position.
Search Committee
Alice Chuang, MD, Med – Chair of Search Committee; Associate Dean for Student Affairs; Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ebony Alston – Coordinator, Office of Academic Excellence
Katherine Anderson, MA – Medical Education Coordinator, WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Hayley Applegate – FIRST Program Coordinator
Dana Doctor, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Lisa Long, MSLS – Associate Director, Office of Scholastic Enrichment & Equity
Vinay Reddy, MD, MPH – Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine