Challenges and Successes of a Implementing a Required Longitudinal Service Learning Course at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Building Better Curriculum) - February 28, 2024

Recorded On: 02/28/2024

Service learning is used in medical education to foster community partnerships, prepare students to care for underserved communities, and deepen the understanding of how social and structural determinants of health can be addressed. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) recommends that medical schools provide “sufficient opportunities for, encourage, and support medical student participation in S-L and community service activities;" however, implementation varies among institutions, ranging from extracurricular programs and electives to formal curricula. We will present our experience implementing a required 4-year longitudinal service-learning course at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, including our challenges and successes as they relate to establishing community partnerships, curriculum development, and learner assessment. We will include perspectives from students, community partners, educational leadership, and our service-learning team. Participants will leave with ideas for implementation at their own institutions and opportunities for future collaboration and networking.

The AAMC is committed to providing inclusive sessions for all learners/participants. All sessions will be close-captioned. Please contact Kaitlyn at curriculum@aamc.org to request additional accommodations.

Please visit the AAMC Building Better Curriculum Webinars webpage for a complete list of events and special programming.

Lauren Roth, MD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Service Learning Course Director
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Dr. Roth is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and inaugural director of the Service Learning Course at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She received the Award for Innovation in Medical Student Education from Einstein in 2022 and recently received the National Board of Medical Educators (NBME) Emerging Innovators Grant for her work developing a 360-assessment tool for Service Learning.

Holly Nuthmann, LMSW

Service Learning Program Manager
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Holly Nuthmann is a social worker and the inaugural Program Manager of the Service Learning Course at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Prior to working at Einstein, Holly has worked in a variety of nonprofit settings and serves as the connection point between Einstein and the community organizations that serve as key partners in the Service Learning Program.

Janice Thomas John, DO, MS, MPH

Assistant Dean for Integrated Medical Education
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Janice Thomas John is the Assistant Dean for Integrated Medical Education at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She oversees the longitudinal courses at Einstein including the Service Learning Course, and she has extensive teaching and leadership experience in health equity, community engagement, and curricular innovation.

Alexandra Hoffman, MD Candidate

Medical Student, Class of 2026
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Alexandra (Ali) Hoffman is a rising third year medical student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She is part of the class of 2026, which is the inaugural class that participated in Einstein’s new required Service Learning Course. Through Service Learning, Ali played an active role in launching a Bronx chapter of Achilles International, a global organization that provides athletic programs and social connection for people with disabilities.

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