The Journey

Dr. John Luk to visit the School of Medicine

The School of Medicine will host Dr. John Luk on Thursday, April 2. At noon, he will be the featured speaker in the School of Medicine’s Annual Faculty Development Series. His presentation will address interprofessional education (IPE). Learn more details about Dr. Luk.

Small Changes, Big Impact: Making Course Materials Accessible

As medical education becomes increasingly digital, ensuring that course materials are accessible to all learners is both a best practice in teaching and a legal responsibility for public universities. Leah Stanford illustrates how accessibility often improves usability for everyone, not just those who require accommodations.

Needle Stick Procedure

Needle stick and sharp instrument injuries are mostly avoidable but happen frequently in the health care setting, especially in a busy academic medical center. Often, the injured patient is not at fault, but risk factors do include haste, difficulties with the instruments, unfamiliarity with equipment or the procedure and inexperience. Dr. Brian Williams explains the procedures to follow when a needle stick occurs.

Congratulations to Dr. Tim Dasinger, NBME SEEF Fellow

Dr. Dasinger was one of eight individuals selected for the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Strategic Educators Enhancement Fellowship (SEEF) program.

Summer Opportunities for Rising M2 Students

As our M1 students approach the end of their first year in late May, they enter an eight-week period in June and July that offers a wide range of research-, clinical-, educational- and service-oriented opportunities before beginning their second year in August. These summer experiences allow students to explore career interests, develop scholarly skills and engage with faculty mentors across UMMC and beyond. Dr. Mike McMullan shares what options are available to these students.

The 2026 Rural Medicine Education Symposium

The School of Medicine’s IMPACT the RACE program hosted its fifth annual rural medicine education symposium, titled “The Rural Impact 2026.” This CME event was held at the Norman Nelson Student Union on February 20-21 and was available at no cost for attendees. Rakesh Patel gives more details regarding the event.

The Nelson Order Inductees and Regions Bank T.E.A.C.H. Prize Finalists

Congratulations to the Norman C. Nelson Order of Teaching Excellence 2025-2026 inductees! Twenty-three individuals across the academic mission were inducted at a recognition ceremony in February. The School of Medicine congratulates its six faculty members who were inductees.

Spring 2026 SOM Faculty Development Sessions

The School of Medicine (SOM) and the Department of Advanced Medical Education have collaborated again this year to develop the 2026 SOM Annual Faculty Development Series. This series provides one-hour sessions throughout the year on topics that aim to enhance teaching and learning, and the academic environment. These virtual sessions are held at noon and highlight the expertise and research of SOM faculty as well as faculty from other institutions. Select presentations will offer an in-person version.

March 2026