Elective rotation “Medical Students as Educators” available for WVU Schools of Medicine and Nursing students

In a new partnership, West Virginia University School of Medicine and School of Nursing Charleston campus are providing an educational opportunity for both nursing and medical students.

Medical Students as Educators (MSaE) is a longitudinal teaching rotation for medical and nursing students that was implemented in 2018 by Dr. Anna Lama, EdD, director of assessment for the School of Medicine and assistant professor in the Department of Medical Education. Dr. Theresa Cowan, chairperson of the Charleston campus, will be working with Dr. Lama to provide this interdisciplinary experience.

The MSaE elective rotation is a nine-month commitment for medical and nursing students which includes monthly learning modules on teaching pedagogical practices, capstone teaching project development and subsequent teaching field placements in bedside clinic and classroom settings. This course is offered to fourth-year students.

“As a former public-school educator, I know the added value of classroom teaching skill acquisition,” Lama said. “It positively impacts a classroom of learners and the patient-physical relationship. I am always thrilled to know how many medical students share a similar interest and enthusiasm in teaching skill development, which prompted me to design such a rotation that mimics a teacher certification course.”

With the new partnership with the School of Nursing Charleston campus, two of Dr. Lama’s fourth-year MSaE students, Sarah Callaham and Zachary Koenig, will work closely with the School of Nursing Charleston program as student teachers in the Family Practicum 1 Fall 2021 course. The student teachers will collaborate with School of Nursing faculty to present interactive presentations and workshops which complement specific program learning objectives.

“I am very excited about the partnership with Charleston School of Nursing,” Lama said. “I believe the program has an excellent community of faculty and students with shared interests in patient care, teaching, learning and innovation within the vast educational learning landscape for my MSaE student teachers to trek together.”