Discipline: Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, Medical Genetics

Institution: College of Medicine, Central Michigan University
Mt Pleasant, MI 48859, USA

TBL Experience: I was recruited to the recently formed College of Medicine at Central Michigan University as the Founding Chair of Foundational Sciences. I now serve as Senior Associate Dean – Research, and Professor of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics. Prior to this appointment, I directed and taught courses in medical biochemistry and molecular biology as well as medical genetics at Indiana University School of Medicine – South Bend. I developed and used Team Based Learning extensively in these courses from 2006-2011. I moved to Central Michigan University in 2011 and have worked here to incorporate TBL into an innovative and integrated curriculum. I have been active in the Team-Based Learning collaborative since 2007 serving as treasurer 2012-2016, and as a member of the Executive committee from 2010-2016. I have also served as treasurer and past Vice-President and a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Biochemistry Educators (2009-2015), (ABE), a group dedicated to supporting and enhancing the teaching of Biochemistry in medical, dental, and pharmacy schools. I have given workshops on Team-Based learning for the TBLC “Train the Trainers” Program and at National and International meetings as well as at Universities and Medical Schools.

Mentoring experience:

Years of TBL Teaching: 11

I have mentored several medical school basic science faculty in the TBLC Train the Trainers program and have served informally by providing TBL modules and mentoring to many faculty, mostly in medical science education who are interested in using TBL, especially to teach biochemistry and medical genetics. I have been closely involved in mentoring faculty at my present institution in TBL.

Adaptions: We have developed a technique at Central Michigan University College of Medicine in which Case-based learning is used as pre-work for the TBL, which it turn serves as an assessment of the Case-based learning. We have submitted one of these to MedEdPortal for review.

Research: I have not conducted any research in TBL, but have published four TBL modules in MedEdPortal.

Assisting members as a TBL-Trainer:

1. I have experience in providing workshops on many aspects of TBL; including, TBL 101, Designing Modules, Peer Evaluation, and Facilitation.
2. I have specific experience in developing and sharing modules in Medical Biochemistry and Medical Genetics and have given workshops and mentored faculty in these disciplines using these modules as examples.
3. I have more recently gained experience at a new medical school in developing TBL modules in an integrated medical school curriculum, in which faculty from different disciplines work together to develop TBL modules, many of which are coupled with Case-Based Learning.

How has the TBLC assisted me?

I became interested in TBL in 2004 and received my initial exposure by visiting Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine and becoming a member of a student team in Dr. Paul Koles’ pathology class. This was a wonderful experience and got me started. However, it was membership in TBLC and attendance at subsequent TBLC meetings that aided me greatly in filling in important details. Here I learned the importance of peer evaluation and how to design peer evaluation instruments. Here I learned to improve my facilitation skills, and how to mentor other faculty in improving their facilitation skills. Lastly, membership in the TBLC and attendance at meetings provide an important outlet for educational scholarship and an opportunity to develop networks of support.