In 1974, Howard University College of Medicine created the Office of Medical Education (OME) within the Office of the Dean to provide and coordinate academic services to the administration, faculty, and students for pursuit of the goals of the College. In 1996, the position of Assistant Dean for Medical Education was established to supervise the OME.

Mission Statement
The Howard University College of Medicine Office of Medical Education (OME) works to ensure that the structure, content, and conduct of medical education meet the highest standards while supporting the faculty, students, and administrators to fulfill their educational missions and keep pace with the changing needs of our health care system. We aim to enrich the culture of teaching and learning and to work with the faculty to provide our students with a sound general medical education that will serve as the basis for the graduate education of future providers of our nation’s healthcare.

OME offers a broad range of services to students and faculty, including academic development for students, instructional support for courses and clerkships, faculty development programs, curriculum evaluation and individual consultation. Through the Office of Curriculum, OME provides course and faculty evaluation, and informational technology support for instructional units. OME develops new educational and curricular initiatives in conjunction with the Curriculum Committee and conducts research on the effectiveness of the medical education process.

The influence of the academic environment in support of teaching and learning in medicine becomes clear when realizing that student learning must be self-directed and must develop into a lifelong skill. The learning environment should enable that process of acquiring information, skills, attitudes and values by students. Teaching by the medical faculty should facilitate and optimally enhance student learning.

How well the academic environment supports learning is dependent upon decisions made by administrators, faculty, and staff who are in a position to affect that environment. OME participates in all of those processes that will create and sustain the academic environment. OME provides information and training programs that contribute to the decision-making process, implements (or assists others with implementation) educational decisions, and by evaluates the outcomes of programs emanating from these decisions.

How efficiently medical students acquire information, skills, values and professional attitudes depends upon their prior experiences, abilities, habits, and expectations. OME provides interactive programs through which students may:

(1) acquire or refine skills necessary for learning,
(2) receive tutorial support in areas of content,
(3) obtain academic counseling for academic demands,
(4) assess knowledge and skills as a guide to learning, and
(5) access appropriate resources for learning outside the classroom or laboratory.

The effectiveness with which the academic milieu at the College of Medicine facilitates learning depends on how reliably basic learning principles are followed. To this end, OME should (1) identify significant learning characteristics of HUCM students, (2) assess aspects of the academic environment for teaching and learning, and (3) engage in educational research to assess the impact of the educational process upon the students. In order to conduct such diverse activities, OME relies upon all technical and professional resources within the College of Medicine.

The specific goals for the Office of Medical Education, based upon the mission statement presented above, are as follows:

Name and Title of Assistant Dean
Walter Bland, M.D.
Assistant Dean for Medical Education
Tele:  202-806-6282
Fax: 202-806-5121
e-mail:  wbland@howard.edu

Office Location:
Seeley G. Mudd Building
 520 W Street, N.W. Room 110

 PROGRAMS

 MedSTARS

Purpose
To enhance academic achievement, retention and graduation of students.  To provide academic guidance for medical students.

 Program
Students participate in academic reinforcement sessions to cover material presented in the first two years of the medical curriculum through self-paced review.  MedSTARS (Medical Student Taught Academic Review Sessions) Leaders, selected on the basis of academic performance and personal traits, offer individualized and group review sessions and individual sessions upon request.  MedSTARS Leaders are funded by the federal government’s Health Career’s Opportunity Program (HCOP) of the USDHHS, HRSA.

Individual advisory and counseling support to strengthen study and learning skills, including time management and organization techniques, concept mapping and stress control, are provided by OME staff for students who require these services.

 Participants
Medical students are supported at all levels of the MD program.

 

Freshman Medical Orientation Workshop 

Purpose
To provide academic orientation to the College of Medicine for all entering freshman students.     

Program
Exercises in critical thinking, problem solving, time and task management, study skills and relaxation strategies are presented.

Participants
Orientation is for all entering medical students.
 

 Summer Directed Study Program (SDSP)

Purpose
To provide structured review for medical students in preparation for re-examinations to remove deficiencies in first and second year coursework.

Program
Faculty and MedSTARS Leaders conduct scheduled review sessions during the summer.  Re-examinations are prepared and administered by faculty.  Attendance is required

Participants
First and second year medical students earning one or two unsatisfactory grades in courses during the previous academic year.  MedSTARS Leaders are funded by HCOP.


Preliminary Academic Reinforcement Program (PARP)

 Purpose
To provide academic orientation to the medical curriculum for selected incoming students to facilitate their transition from undergraduate study and entry into medical school.   

Program
The six-week structured summer program includes academic material from the first-year medical curriculum, learning skills, counseling, group study and individualized tutoring by MedSTARS Leaders.  Successful performance guarantees admission to the freshman year.      

 Participants
Prospective students are selected by the College of Medicine’s Admissions Committee.  This program is funded by HCOP. 



Problem-Based Learning (PBL)     

Purpose
To provide exposure to and experience with critical thinking, problem solving and clinical decision-making in medical education.

Program
Simulated patient cases are presented during sophomore elective periods and in conjunction with special programs.

Participants
Sophomore medical students.



Academic Analysis, Research and Tracking Services

Purpose
To evaluate student performance and to select and apply appropriate resources for corrective or supportive action to enhance that performance.

Program
Assistance for developing study, time management and exam-taking skills is provided; referral is made to other University services for additional counseling. 

Participants
Services are available to all enrolled medical students. Hospital support services, as needed.



Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In accordance with the federal legislation regarding individuals with disabilities, the Office of Medical Education provides academic support services upon request.