This final episode of the Harvard Macy Institute podcast features Liz Armstrong, founding director of the Harvard Macy Institute. Liz is inspiration, mentor and friend to many in the HMI community and beyond. Dr. Armstrong is a professor in Pediatrics, PT, at Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, and has held positions at Harvard Medical School since 1984, including director of Curriculum 1988-1992, director of medical education 1992-2001 and director of education programs at Harvard Medical International from 2001-2009. In 1994 with funding from the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, she created and directed the Harvard Macy Institute through May 2023. She received an honorary doctor of medicine degree from the University of Lund Medical Faculty in recognition of her international contributions to medical education and in 2016 received the Award for Excellence in Medical Education formerly named the Abraham Flexner Award, the highest annual award given by the American Association of Medical Colleges.

In this episode we do a deep dive into Liz’s unique contributions to HMI and to the global health professions educational community. We explore her personal style, her deep professional expertise in education, and her ‘innovators DNA.’ Rich with stories and anecdotes, our conversation is helpful to understand the achievement of building and sustaining the Harvard Macy Institute, as well as how to be brave and adventurous with our work. Liz offers her perspective on the future of medical education, emphasizing the need for ongoing innovation and collaboration. This episode is a tribute to her remarkable contributions and a call to action for the work still to be done in health professions education.

Your host for this episode is Victoria Brazil (Educators, ’05, Leaders ’07, Assessment ‘10). Victoria is a professor of emergency medicine at Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine. She hosts the HMI podcast and is co-producer of Simulcast-a podcast about health care simulation.

This episode of the Harvard Macy Institute podcast features Marg Hay, Professor Emeritus at Monash University and leading light in the HMI community. We explore Marg's journey from health psychology to becoming an influential leader in health professions education. We talk about her penchant for ‘start ups’, including pioneering work at Monash university, her involvement with Harvard Macy, and her perspectives on curriculum, assessment, and faculty development.

Marg shares her experiences on the importance of being a generalist, the balance between behavioral sciences and education, and the significance of mentorship and community in her career. We reflect on innovation, leadership, embracing failure, and her ongoing passion for lifelong learning. We conclude by thinking about life and career after the ‘main act’ and the many contributions still to be made.

Your host for this episode is Victoria Brazil (Educators, ’05, Leaders ’07, Assessment ‘10). Victoria is Professor of Emergency Medicine at Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine. She hosts the HMI podcast and is co-producer of Simulcast -a podcast about health care simulation.

This episode of the Harvard Macy Institute podcast features Dr Connie Bowe- clinician, educator, leader and researcher. She trained as a pediatric neurologist and has been active in medical education design and delivery throughout her career at Stanford and Brown Universities, UC Davis and beyond. In addition to teaching Neuroscience and Clinical Neurology at these institutions, she has directed Neurology clerkships, chaired strategic educational planning processes, chaired and participated in medical curricula reforms and faculty curriculum committees.  

In this episode, Connie shares her thoughts about leading change in academic organizations. She reflects on the significance of being attuned to culture, and of bringing everyone (including critics) along on the journey. Her work in developing case method teaching in medical programs is one such example. Connie tells us about what a systems approach really means in medical education, and we draw upon her publication with Liz Armstong on Assessment for Systems Learning.  

Connie has been a faculty leader within many HMI programs: Educators, Leaders and co-director of the systems approach to assessment program. As we wrap up the conversation, she tells us about the impact of HMI on her career and professional life, including the satisfaction of handing over leadership to safe hands.  

Your host for this episode is Victoria Brazil (Educators, ’05, Leaders ’07, Assessment ‘10). Victoria is Professor of Emergency Medicine at Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine. She hosts the HMI podcast and is co-producer of Simulcast-a podcast about healthcare simulation. 

HMI 30th anniversary podcast series

Enriching Perspectives Through Global Collaboration : A conversation with Tom Aretz

This episode of the Harvard Macy Institute podcast features Tom Aretz, an icon of the Harvard Macy community. Tom shares some of his remarkable career, from his athletic pursuits as an Olympic swimmer to his distinguished work as a clinician, educator, and leader in health care.

Tom’s passion for medical education shines through as he discusses his early interest in teaching and his interest in curriculum design. He eloquently describes curriculum as the "tangible expression of the soul of an academic institution," reflecting an institution's values, philosophy, and goals. Tom emphasizes the importance of aligning health care education with real-world needs, drawing on his experiences in over 40 countries.

Highlighting innovative workforce solutions, he shares examples of "skills mix" and "task shifting" approaches that have transformed health care delivery around the world. From the vision technicians in India to the collaborative university model in Germany, these examples showcase how academic institutions can adapt to societal needs, empowering a diverse health care workforce. Tom's reflections on his international work underscore the value of learning from global perspectives and building an international network of scholars. He emphasizes the importance of listening, building trust, and avoiding preconceived notions when engaging in cross-cultural collaborations.

Reflecting on his own career, Tom shares both successes and regrets, highlighting the importance of mentorship, teamwork, and maintaining a sense of humor. His deep appreciation for the Harvard Macy Institute shines through, as he describes the transformative impact of the program on his professional and personal life.

Tom's parting words encapsulate the essence of his approach to education: keeping the joy in learning. He eloquently articulates the intrinsic joy of discovery and the human dimension of health care, emphasizing the importance of trust, mutual respect, and caring in the educational process.

Your host for this episode is Victoria Brazil (Educators, ’05, Leaders ’07, Assessment ‘10). Victoria is a professor of emergency medicine at Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine. She hosts the HMI podcast and is co-producer of Simulcast - a podcast about healthcare simulation.

HMI 30th anniversary podcast series

To Teach is to Learn Twice: A conversation with Holly Gooding

This episode of the Harvard Macy Institute podcast features Holly Gooding, a well know faculty leader within HMI. Holly is an internal medicine and adolescent medicine physician by training, with an impressive clinical research portfolio in cardiovascular risk assessment for teens and young adults. Trained in California and then Boston, she now serves as the Medical Director of Adolescent Medicine at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Holly is a star medical educator and scholar. In addition to co-directing the Harvard Macy Program for Educators in the Health Professions, she is associate dean for Professional Development and Education at Emory School of Medicine, where she fosters professional development for medical trainees and faculty.

In this inspirational conversation, Holly gives us insights into her parallel and overlapping careers as clinician, researcher, educator and scholar. She highlights the influence of mentors and peers on her career decisions and educational practice. She sees opportunities in being given big jobs to do, e.g. developing the ‘science of learning’ theme in the Educators program. We ponder about the role of AI in clinical and educational practice, and feel grateful to be part of a community of practice that will be helping to understand and guide our work. Holly is endlessly generous with her praise of others who contribute to and nurture the Harvard Macy Institute, and we are grateful for her ongoing contribution.

Your host for this episode is Victoria Brazil (Educators, ’05, Leaders ’07, Assessment ‘10). Victoria is Professor of Emergency Medicine at Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine. She hosts the HMI podcast and is co-producer ofSimulcast-a podcast about healthcare simulation.

Season Five Episode Four: Keith Wilson 

In celebration of the Harvard Macy Institute’s 30th anniversary, this blog & podcast series honors the remarkable individuals who have shaped and supported our community over the years. These accomplished educators, leaders, and champions of health professions education have contributed to the institute’s enduring legacy. Through their leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing education, they continue to inspire and guide future generations. Join us as we highlight their journeys, achievements, and reflections on the impact of HMI on their professional lives and the wider global community. 

This episode of the Harvard Macy Institute podcast features Dr. Keith Wilson, a much admired member of the HMI Community. Keith is an educator with Dalhousie University in Eastern Canada where he is the chair of assessment for the undergraduate medical education program, and the assessment and evaluation lead for postgraduate family medicine. A family physician by training currently working clinically in geriatrics, he also holds a PhD in experimental psychology that he completed prior to his medical studies. Keith has been faculty with the HMI educators, assessment and technology courses. 

In this wide-ranging conversation, Keith gives us insights into his insatiable curiosity and enthusiasm, and the diverse places and roles those character traits have taken him. We take a deep dive into technology, AI, and social media, and indulge in some crystal ball gazing about where those advances are taking us in education and in clinical practice. 

We reflect on the special place of the Harvard Macy Institute in Keith’s career and his ongoing contributions to our community. The conversation is delightful and inspiring. 

Click here to listen now! 

Keith Wilson, BA, MD, PhD, CCFP, FCFP, is the chair of assessment for undergraduate medical education and an associate professor of family medicine at Dalhousie University. He is also the medical director of geriatric assessment units at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. John, New Brunswick. Keith’s academic interests include curricula design, assessment, continuing professional development, systems thinking in health professions education, and leadership. 

Your host for this episode is Victoria Brazil (Educators, ’05, Leaders ’07, Assessment ‘10). Victoria is Professor of Emergency Medicine at Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine. She hosts the HMI podcast, and is co-producer of Simulcast - a podcast about healthcare simulation. 

Season Five Episode Three: Kenya Beard 

In celebration of the Harvard Macy Institute’s 30th anniversary, this blog & podcast series honors the remarkable individuals who have shaped and supported our community over the years. These accomplished educators, leaders, and champions of health professions education have contributed to the institute’s enduring legacy. Through their leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing education, they continue to inspire and guide future generations. Join us as we highlight their journeys, achievements, and reflections on the impact of HMI on their professional lives and the wider global community. 

This episode of the Harvard Macy Institute podcast features Dr. Kenya Beard, the inaugural dean and chief academic officer for the School of Nursing at Mercy University, and much admired member of the HMI community. A nurse, nurse practitioner, and educator by training, Kenya is now serving in leadership and advocacy roles at a national level. She views education as both “an art and a science,” and dedicates her work to strengthening academia’s capacity to prepare a diverse, practice-ready workforce by equipping faculty with the skills to promote belongingness for each student. Her research interests include identifying and mitigating barriers to eliminating health care disparities and exploring ways to strengthen diversity in nursing. 

Described as the ‘fearless Kenya Beard’, she offered us some personal insights into her motivation and strategy for making a difference in healthcare. Kenya describes how her training and experience as an educator served her well for roles in advocacy and leadership. She shared the powerful impact of her time at Harvard Macy, where she learned about the difference between change and transformation. Kenya also gave us some practical insights as to how values can be instilled among the practicalities of health professional learning.  

In Kenya’s eyes, ‘fearless’ is about not being afraid to make mistakes, and to learn and improve from them, our podcast conversation illustrates how she lives up to that description. 

Click here to listen now! 

Kenya Beard, EdD, AGACNP-BC, ANEF, FAAN, FADLN, is the dean and chief nursing officer at Mercy University School of Nursing and the president of the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing. She is a 2012 Macy Faculty Scholar and founded the Health Equity Influencers Program for high school students, nursing students, and nurse educators. In her past work as a senior fellow at the Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement, she co-produced health care disparity segments with over 400,000 listeners on WBAI-FM. 

Your host for this episode is Victoria Brazil (Educators, ’05, Leaders ’07, Assessment ‘10). Victoria is Professor of Emergency Medicine at Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine. She hosts the HMI podcast, and is co-producer of Simulcast - a podcast about healthcare simulation. 

In celebration of the Harvard Macy Institute’s 30th anniversary, this blog & podcast series honors the remarkable individuals who have shaped and supported our community over the years. These accomplished educators, leaders, and champions of health professions education have contributed to the institute’s enduring legacy. Through their leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing education, they continue to inspire and guide future generations. Join us as we highlight their journeys, achievements, and reflections on the impact of HMI on their professional lives and the wider global community. 

This episode of the Harvard Macy Institute podcast features Dr. Terry Wolpaw, a nationally recognized leader and innovator in medical education. She shares her journey from clinician to educationalist, highlighting the importance of shifting from a teacher-centered to a learner-centered approach. 

Dr. Wolpaw discusses her experiences at Case Western Reserve and Penn State College of Medicine, where she led major curriculum changes. Key to her success, she says, was the ability to articulate a vision, assemble a strong team, and foster an environment of adaptive thinking. 

She also reflects on the challenges of leading change and the importance of knowing when to step back and let go. This episode offers valuable insights for health professional educators at any stage of career who are navigating the complexities of medical education and curriculum design. 

Terry Wolpaw has served as the vice dean for educational affairs at Penn State College of Medicine where she oversaw undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education. She has also served as the associate dean for curricular affairs at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Among her many accomplishments was working to secure two five-year AMA grant awards at Penn State, both envisioning and promoting health system science as a core component of curricular design. She received one of the first American College of Rheumatology Clinician Scholar Educator career development awards, which catalyzed her interest in student-centered learning. Her educational scholarship has focused on the expression of students' clinical reasoning and uncertainties. She developed the SNAPPS technique for learners’ case presentations to preceptors, which is used with medical students, residents and physician assistant students both nationally and internationally. Dr. Wolpaw is an alumna of the Program for Educators in Health Professions and Leading Innovation in Health Care and Education. Since then, she has served as faculty in the Program for Educators in Health Professions. In 2005, she played a key role in introducing sessions focused on posters and abstracts. This focus soon expanded into the broader theme of the Educator as a Scholar. This theme remains an integral part of the program today.

In celebration of the Harvard Macy Institute’s 30th anniversary, this blog & podcast series honors the remarkable individuals who have shaped and supported our community over the years. These accomplished educators, leaders, and champions of health professions education have contributed to the institute’s enduring legacy. Through their leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing education, they continue to inspire and guide future generations. Join us as we highlight their journeys, achievements, and reflections on the impact of HMI on their professional lives and the wider global community. 

 In this episode of the podcast, HMI Director Dr. Sarah Wood reflects on what the 30th anniversary means to her, and the ways that the HMI community is celebrating this milestone. Our anniversary series will feature people and ideas from the HMI community, taking a deep dive into their stories and lessons learned.  

Sarah has served as the Director of the Harvard Macy Institute since May 2023. Previously, she was the Vice Dean for Medical Education at the Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University. A scholar in the HMI Educators Program in 2015, Sarah subsequently remained deeply engaged with the institute, supporting at least two scholars annually from FAU to participate in HMI programs. 

In this podcast Vic speaks with Martin Pusic, Bill Cutrer, and Elissa Hall about their article “Educating for Adaptive Expertise: Case Examples Along the Medical Education Continuum.” 

What do we mean by adaptive expertise? Our discussion starts with some definitions and examples, including: Routine procedural approaches, plus creative innovative ones, when the situation calls for it.” This capacity is critical in a healthcare environment brimming with complexity.

How do we educate for adaptive expertise? Our guests suggested 4 instructional strategies, including: Developing deep conceptual understanding, exposure to meaningful variation, emphasis on productive struggle and discovery, and metacognitive strategizing. They drew upon the Master Adaptive Learner conceptual model.

We worked through the practicalities of this kind of education in the undergraduate, postgraduate (Emergency Medicine) and continuing professional development educational contexts. This is not easy! Our guests explained how they have worked through various barriers and constraints to realize the opportunities for fostering adaptive expertise in our healthcare professionals.

Happy listening!