Psychiatry Chief Resident Kali Cyrus, MD, joined post-graduate trainees from throughout the country at a three-day program for future clinician-educators put on by the Harvard Macy Institute in Boston.
The course was held December 10-12, and it focused on instructional methods and developing scholarship in medical education.
Cyrus applied for and was accepted into the program last summer. She was joined by residents and fellows from many health fields, from pediatrics to internal medicine.
Participants were required to develop a medical education project that could benefit their training program, and to present it to the other attendees for individualized feedback.
Cyrus created a diversity curriculum for third- and fourth-year psychiatry residents. Her presentation was recorded, and then critiqued.
“It was a very intense experience because I had 10 minutes to teach them this,” she said.
Participants met in small groups to discuss their projects and to problem solve. Cyrus said the program was interactive, but that she also had time to write as part of an on-site Journal Club.
One exercise helped each participant identify their learning style. “I’m the person who has to go out and do it,” she said.
Cyrus has a strong interest in academic medical education, and enjoys teaching and “helping to make people better.” Her faculty mentor at Yale was Robert Rohrbaugh, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Residency Program Director.
Established in 1994, the Harvard Macy Institute is a collaboration of Harvard Medical School, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Harvard Business School. Its programs bring together health care professionals, educators, and leaders with the goal of improving how medicine is practiced and students are educated.