Showing your 'Whitney'

Dear Colleagues,

Please accept my warmest holiday wishes to you and your families. As the calendar year turns over, it provides us the opportunity to reflect on our past while planning for the future.  

New Year’s resolutions are notoriously difficult to keep (but this may be the year I drop those 10 pounds). This year, I challenge you, as I challenge myself, to identify your strengths as educators and find ways to highlight these.

Attending the American College of Physicians annual meeting this past year, Dr. Kimberley Manning advised clinical teachers to show students our “Whitney”. As an artist, Whitney Houston was best known for her vocals. She was also an actress and dancer. That said, no paying fan would be satisfied to watch Whitney Houston dance or act if she omitted her greatest strength – her voice. Dr. Manning advised us to identify areas in our practice where we excel, and ensure we provide this same experience to our students.

Developing yourself as a teacher takes time and effort. These skills can be developed. The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) office provides workshops to enhance the knowledge and skills of faculty at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry in London and Windsor. Upcoming events are listed online.

With that said, I know many of you are interested in different professional development opportunities not currently offered through the School’s CPD office. Please share with me your thoughts and experiences so we can tailor the opportunities to support your growth. Unlike my perpetual 10 pounds, your New Year’s resolutions do not need to fail.

As always, thank you for your hard work and dedication.

Larry
Assistant Dean, Hospital and Interfaculty Relations