On July 26, 2021, Deputy Dean for Education Jessica Illuzzi, MD, MS, announced the creation of a new role—director of innovation in medical education—as well as the inaugural director, Associate Dean for Curriculum Michael Schwartz, PhD. Illuzzi said Schwartz would “continue his extraordinary work as associate dean for curriculum.”
The new role supports a priority Illuzzi cited in May 2021: to develop “innovative approaches to medical education that are irrevocably engaging and compelling, enhanced by increased use of simulation and evolving technologies and resources.” In announcing Schwartz’s appointment, she said he will lead strategic planning regarding technological innovation in medical education and “spearhead our efforts to expand the use of technology and other tools to meet the needs of our changing learners.”
Schwartz has been a central collaborator with colleagues on innovation in medical education for over a decade, from giving each MD student an iPad starting in 2011, to collaborating with colleagues to provide significant input into the design of the renovated Team-based Learning Room in the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library in 2019. To make time for this additional role, Schwartz will reduce his educational efforts in the Department of Neuroscience.
Schwartz says he is “excited about the opportunity to create a mechanism for our educators to learn about, innovate, and adopt new pedagogies and technology to support their teaching in medical education,” adding that he “looks forward to supporting and collaborating with the many creative educators at YSM.”