New School of Medicine Committee
The Performance Improvement Committee (PIC) is charged to monitor the processes and policies that impact the medical education program and compliance with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accreditation standards and elements. The LCME is the accrediting body for MD granting medical education programs in the United States. Although accreditation is voluntary, it is necessary for (1) access to licensure exams (i.e., United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)), (2) admission to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) residency programs, (3) eligibility for state medical licensure for graduates, and (4) federal grants and loans for students and schools. Medical education programs typically undergo a full survey visit every eight years. Programs are evaluated based on 12 standards which comprise at least six and up to 12 elements.
Specifically, element 1.1 (strategic planning and continuous quality improvement) of Standard 1 (Mission, Planning, Organization, and Integrity) calls for ongoing continuous quality improvement processes that “ensure effective monitoring of the medical education program’s compliance with accreditation standards.” The PIC represents a centralized, reorganization on monitoring processes. The committee has 14 members and is chaired by Dr. Loretta Jackson-Williams, Vice Dean for Medical Education for its inaugural year.
The charge of the committee requires ongoing monitoring of the medical education program and its learning environment. The PIC will review data, identify areas for improvement, and report to the School of Medicine Deans Council the results of its reviews. To facilitate these reviews and reporting processes, the PIC will develop and maintain a systematic process to collect and review data and disseminate outcomes of these reviews to the appropriate leadership and administration. The PIC will collaborate with School of Medicine and institutional leadership and administration to identify action plans to achieve and maintain a high-quality MD program, a safe learning environment, and compliance with LCME expectations.
The responsibility of the PIC is critical. Their work will identify the strengths and opportunities for improvement for the medical education program. This work is being carried out by members who are dedicated to the program, the members are Loretta Jackson-Williams, Austin Harrison, Norma Ojeda, Kenneth Thompson, Dan Coleman, Leah Stanford, Sheree Melton, Nathan Tullos, Maggie Everett, Shuntaye Batson, Charles Gaymes, Michael McMullan, Brian Williams, and Lecretia Buckley.