Elections: CDIM CA

Candidates

President-Elect

Dee Anna Wilson

Dee Anna WilsonI am honored to submit my candidacy for the role of CDIM CA Advisory Council Chair-Elect. With 26 years of experience in higher education, a strong foundation in education coordination, and a passion for advancing Internal Medicine education, I am eager to contribute to the success and growth of the CDIM Clerkship Administrator (CA) community.
Throughout my career, I have cultivated a deep understanding of the complexities of higher education and the critical role clerkship administrators play in shaping medical education. As the AAIM Ambassador for my university’s Internal Medicine Department, I take pride in encouraging colleagues to engage more actively with AAIM, fostering a culture of collaboration and professional growth.

Since attending my first AAIM Week conference two years ago, I quickly became actively involved with the CDIM CA Council. I am currently serving on the CDIM CA Program Planning Committee, where I contribute to developing meaningful programming for the CA community. My dedication to advancing educational excellence has also led me to co-present a workshop during the 2024 AAIM Week conference and to prepare as a co-presenter for two workshops at the upcoming 2025 AAIM Week conference in April. Additionally, I am honored to serve on the planning committee for the 2025 AAIM Foundations of Academic Internal Medicine for Education Administrators in which I will also help facilitate the course, which runs from January to April 2025. Beyond this, I am an active member of the AAIM GME-GME Individualized Learning Plan Workgroup, collaborating on initiatives to enhance individualized learning within graduate medical education.

These diverse experiences have equipped me to recognize and address the unique challenges faced by clerkship administrators while fostering meaningful connections across interdisciplinary teams. My ability to streamline processes, enhance communication, and implement innovative solutions has consistently contributed to improved program outcomes and elevated satisfaction for learners, faculty, and staff alike.

A key strength I bring to this position is my commitment to fostering collaboration and professional growth. I believe in creating inclusive environments where all voices are valued, and ideas can flourish. My approach to leadership emphasizes mentorship, shared decision-making, and adaptability—qualities that are critical in the ever-evolving landscape of medical education.

If elected Chair-Elect, I would focus on strengthening the CDIM CA community by prioritizing engagement, sharing best practices, and leveraging technology to improve clerkship administration. I am particularly passionate about promoting professional development opportunities for administrators, advocating for equitable access to resources, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

My vision for the role is to serve as a bridge between administrators, educators, and institutional leaders, ensuring that the contributions of clerkship administrators are recognized and valued. With over two decades of experience in higher education, I bring a wealth of knowledge, a commitment to excellence, and a proven ability to lead with purpose and collaboration.

Thank you for considering my candidacy. I am excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Alliance to advance the mission of CDIM and enhance the educational experience for all.



Councilor

LaTiffany Connelly

LaTiffany Connelly

Thank you for selecting me as a candidate for Councilor on the CDIM CA Advisory Council ballot. If elected, I am committed to serving a three-year term and will put forth effort to attend all council meetings and conference calls. I will prioritize this role and show up ready to learn and assist.

My professional career began in 2006 as an office assistant in the Department of Social Work at Chicago State University. In that role, I realized I am skilled at working with students and enjoyed helping them reach their academic goals.

After a decade of working as an Administrator with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, I was eager to transition back into working with students. I accepted the role of Ob/Gyn clerkship administrator at the University of Chicago in 2018 and transitioned to the Internal Medicine department in 2022.

Through each role, I’ve learned and excelled at professionalism, communication, and information processing. I have often been the first point of contact for people wanting to learn more about the organizations I worked with. This requires me to be knowledgeable about our program and able to relay information to others. I believe these skills can serve the council.

My current professional goal is to move beyond providing quality service. I want to interact with organizations and further my professional development. I look forward to working with people in medical education and sharing ideas. I think this position will provide an excellent opportunity for growth, and I know I can offer my skills and time to the council.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing.

Again, thank you for considering me for the role.

Councilor

Crystal McClary

Crystal McClary

I am writing to express my interest in joining the CDIM CA Advisory Council. As a dedicated healthcare leader currently pursuing my master’s degree, I am deeply committed to the advancement and professional development of new administrators while supporting the needs of current administrators. My first experience at the AAIM Conference in Austin, TX will forever be a lasting one. The knowledge and broad range of experienced administrators that I encountered was encouraging and I want to be part of the collaboration. With a solid foundation in healthcare leadership, staff engagement, and professional development, I believe my skills and experiences align well with the mission of the Advisory Council to promote education and the advancement of its members.

Throughout my career, I have developed a broad range of skills that I am eager to bring to this role and the council. My expertise in performance metrics, coaching, and staff engagement has allowed me to effectively support teams and individuals in achieving their highest potential. I am passionate about fostering environments of collaboration and engagement, where both emerging and experienced administrators can thrive. Through my work as an administrator, I continuously strive to stay informed about best practices in leadership, ensuring that I can provide informed guidance to others in the field.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a community that is committed to strengthening healthcare administrators as well as the students and stakeholders we serve. I am particularly drawn to the role's focus on supporting the professional growth of both new and existing administrators. I am confident that my background in healthcare, leadership, and my dedication to helping others reach their full potential would enable me to contribute meaningfully to the mission of the Advisory Council.

I look forward to the possibility of joining the council with other enthusiastic professionals in this role to help shape the future of clerkship administrators.