Shaping and Supporting Surgical Education: Vice Chairs of Education Leadership and Development Course
Description of Course:
Within Academic Departments of Surgery around the country, the Vice Chair of Education (VCE) role has become increasingly common, yet no two job descriptions are exactly the same. Vice Chairs of Education are called upon to support programs and trainees, develop faculty, engage faculty, manage budgets, reach medical students, and a host of other varying educational roles depending on the needs of the department. Furthermore, these needs may change from year to year depending on the sociocultural environment and other institutional changes. This course is designed for the VCE any stage of their career, whether it be as the inaugural VCE in their department, as newly promoted into the VCE role, or as a seasoned VCE. Sessions will focus on collaborative problem-solving for real-world issues, leadership development and gaining insight from each other as well as non-VCE educational leaders.
- Vice Chairs of Education (VCE)
Full Day
To foster meaningful relationships between VCEs through communication and collaboration
To provide attendees with concrete skills and strategies to navigate situations unique to the role of a VCE
To facilitate the sharing of experiences between educational leaders.
To understand and reflect on how current trends in the sociocultural/political environment impact surgical education.
To develop and/or refine leadership skills necessary for the role of the VCE
| Activity Order | Title of Presentation or Activity | Presenter/Faculty Name | Presenter/Faculty Role | Presenter/Faculty Email | Presenter/Faculty Institution | Time allotted in minutes for activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Welcome and Introduction |
Rebecca Hoffman |
Session Lead |
rlhoffman@geisinger.edu |
Geisinger |
15 |
2 |
Spotlight on Leadership: Authenticity and Vulnerability as Sources of Strength in Surgery |
To be determined To be determined |
Speaker |
rlhoffman@geisinger.edu |
TBD |
30 |
3 |
Q&A on Leadership |
Rebecca Hoffman |
Moderator |
rlhoffman@geisinger.edu |
Geisinger |
15 |
4 |
Interactive Brainstorming Session: "If I Had..." |
Jacqueline Turner |
Moderator |
jturner16@tulane.edu |
Tulane |
45 |
5 |
Break |
Rebecca Hoffman |
Session Lead |
rlhoffman@geisinger.edu |
Geisinger |
15 |
6 |
Financing Education and Research: Where are We Now? |
Mary Klingensmith |
Speaker |
klingensmithm@wustl.edu |
Washington University in St. Louis |
30 |
30 |
Discussion on Challenges of Financing Education from VCE perspective |
Melissa Brunsvold |
Moderator |
mbrunsvo@umn.edu |
University of Minnesota |
30 |
8 |
Lunch |
Rebecca Hoffman |
Session Lead |
rlhoffman@geisinger.edu |
Geisinger |
30 |
9 |
Exclusive Update: Delphi Study on Roles, Responsibilities and Needs of VCEs |
Mohsen Shabahang |
Speaker |
mshabahang2@wellspan.org |
Wellspan Health |
10 |
10 |
Storytelling Session: Navigating Rapidly Changing Culture and Surgical Education Programs |
Amy Halverson |
Moderator |
amy.halverson@nm.org |
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine |
30 |
11 |
Difficult Situations: Trouble-Shooting for VCEs |
Nell Maloney-Patel |
Moderator |
nell.maloney@gmail.com |
Rutgers University |
30 |
14 |
Wrap Up and Feedback |
Rebecca Hoffman |
Session Lead |
rlhoffman@geisinger.edu |
Geisinger |
5 |
12 |
What Can Your VCE Do For You? PD Perspective |
Covello Paul |
Speaker |
pcovello@geisinger.edu |
Geisinger--OMFS Program Director |
15 |
13 |
Discussion on PD-VCE Relationship |
Cary Aarons |
Moderator |
cbaarons98@gmail.com |
Columbia University |
15 |
The first goal of the ASE Strategic plan relates to membership growth and engagement, and specifically mentioned are the Vice Chairs of Education and a goal of increasing membership by 10%. We are still a relatively new committee to the organization, and therefore, have so much potential for increased membership and engagement. We feel strongly about the ASE being the home for all VCEs, and this course allows us to foster those connections with the organization and with each other, as well as to increase engagement. We are able to foster engagement of VCEs with this course not only by attracting course participants, but by inviting VCE speakers with specific areas of expertise (who may not otherwise attend) to deliver talks and/or moderate sessions. Furthermore, as it relates to Goal 4, leadership, this course aims to support VCEs in their journey as leaders in surgical education, across surgical specialties. With specific talks related to leadership development, as well as ample discussion time, VCEs will be able to share with each other best practices in the role, learn by example and experience, and thereby elevate the standards for this role across the country.
We always solicit feedback about the course using a SurveyMonkey to get attendees' immediate thoughts on the course. We will continue to do this so that we know we are addressing topics of importance to VCEs, and that the course is worthwhile. We have used suggestions from past courses to inform each iteration of this course (this hopefully as the 3rd year), improving it each year. The biggest suggestions are always regarding having more time for discussion after each talk/session. This speaks specifically to objectives 1 and 3 above. Success in this course will also judged by the number of new and returning attendees', which speaks to the strategic plan objectives.
Attendance: The goal will be to match or exceed last year's registration (12) for the course. Longer term success will manifest as increased VCE committee membership.
Satisfaction: We ask attendees about future attendance plans at the conclusion of the course, and we will strive for >80% plans for future attendance.
What is difficult to quantify is the impact that the course, via sharing of ideas, has on the work of the VCE in their home institution. We hope that attendees are able to take 1-2 practical strategies back to their practice for implementation.
This course is poised to have a meaningful impact on both the ASE and the broader field of surgical education by addressing a critical and evolving leadership role within academic surgery—the Vice Chair of Education (VCE). By providing VCEs at all career stages with opportunities to build collaborative networks, share experiences, and develop practical strategies for navigating complex departmental challenges, the course strengthens the capacity of educational leaders across institutions and solidifies the ASE as the necessary home for the VCE, as well as the course as a "can't miss" component of VCE development. As participants apply insights gained from the variety of topics presented at the course within their own departments, the course serves to enhance the quality and resilience of surgical education programs nationally. In doing so, it reinforces ASE’s mission to advance surgical education and cultivates a community of leaders prepared to meet the evolving needs of trainees, faculty, and institutions.
AV for a full day course: $800
Boxed lunch/coffee/tea: $1700
Soda/Snack: $250
Total: $2750
Last year's registered attendance: 12
Last year's registration fee: $300
Total: $3600
Net: + $850
No, CME will not be offered.
$300.00
Yes
We would prefer a 90 min workshop rather than a panel, and would focus the workshop on the more discussion heavy topics and interactive components. Perhaps starting with the brainstorming session "If I Had...100% FTE as VCE, 1 million dollars, 100% influence, then I would..." and build the subsequent discussion around creative ways to finance education, leadership influence, and difficult situations (unionization, remediation) etc.