Candidates
President-Elect
Brian Kwan, MD
Co-Clerkship Director
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
After almost a decade of involvement in CDIM, it is difficult to find the right words to describe how impactful CDIM has been in transforming my career.
At my first CDIM meeting in 2014, I felt an immediate connection to a passionate group of like-minded and engaged educators, many of whom I now consider close friends and mentors. That initial group of CDIM members I met at that meeting encouraged me to publish my first peer-review paper on implementing simulation curriculum in the 3rd year IM clerkship and partnered with me in presenting my first AAIM workshop two years later. Since then, I have had the privilege of collaborating with other AAIM members, leading workshops on mid-clerkship feedback, using escape rooms as an innovative teaching tool, and creating scholarship through service.
In 2016, I joined the Medical Student to Resident Interface Committee (MSRIC). Alongside other committee members, I had the opportunity to revise the national sub-internship curriculum and was honored by being named senior author of our Executive Summary. Additionally, I was fortunate to be mentored by several MSRIC members, giving me opportunities to contribute to manuscripts exploring drivers of application inflation, filters used by residency programs to select candidates for interviews, and strategies to promote holistic review in the residency match. I also had the privilege of contributing content for the CDIM IM Clerkship curriculum revision.
One of the absolute highlights of my entire career was being elected to CDIM council in 2021. I have enthusiastically worked alongside other CDIM leaders to develop initiatives to support membership and was grateful to have been chosen to co-lead the CDIM Webinar Series. Additionally, I have loved helping CDIM members stay engaged and connected through monthly CDIM Happenings posts. As a councilor, I volunteered to serve on the AAIM Competencies Task Force, helping create a prototype of a shared mental model for competency assessment across the entire medical education continuum. Additionally, I participated in a cross-council task force responding to the ACGME programmatic requirements for core faculty in IM subspecialties. I was so grateful to be a part of these incredible opportunities to partner with different stakeholders across AAIM.
As CDIM President-elect, I hope to continue to make CDIM not only a more inclusive space but also a more diverse and innovative one by highlighting the work done by sometimes overlooked groups within our membership (e.g., sub-I directors, UME educators outside the clerkship, colleagues at osteopathic institutions, and clerkship administrators). Additionally, I plan on bringing a project I am co-leading on Course Director Protected Time across the finish line. Finally, I envision forging even closer collaborations with our other partners in AAIM, as we continue to impact the future of medical education together one step at a time.
Treasurer
Susan Merel, MD
Associate Director
University of Washington School of Medicine
I am an Associate Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of Washington and have been a Co-Director and then Associate Clerkship Director for Medicine Student Programs since 2010. I direct fourth-year student programs in Internal Medicine including the subinternship and elective courses across our five-state region, and work with the Medicine Student Programs team to improve both the core clerkship and fourth-year programs. My clinical work is in Hospital Medicine and Palliative Care consultation. I also have experience and training in diversity, equity and inclusion, recently serving as the inaugural Faculty Co-Chair of the Gender Equity Council for our Department of Medicine and working collaboratively with our Diversity Council and LGBTQ+ Council in that role.
I have been an active member of CDIM since 2011, co-presenting workshops and posters at annual meetings, presenting at the New Clerkship Directors Precourse and serving on the Program Planning Committee and now as a Councilor finishing up a two-year term. CDIM has been instrumental in my professional development. The perspective I would continue to bring to the council is one of an experienced mid-career educator and leader with deep and broad experience both in the core clerkship and in the subinternship. As Treasurer, I would work with others on the AAIM Finance Committee to keep AAIM financially healthy and advocate for the needs of CDIM within that committee. I look forward to continuing my relationship with CDIM in a leadership role and to serving this wonderful community.
Councilors
Irene Alexandraki, MD, MPH
Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
I am running for CDIM Councilor to continue my service to CDIM, advocate for CDIM members, and contribute to the work of the organization in advancing clinical medical education in Internal Medicine and addressing the needs of its members. CDIM has been my professional home since 2005 and has played an essential role in my career. Over the years, I have had the privilege to engage in this vibrant community of medical educators in various ways, including service and collaborations with CDIM colleagues. I have been a member of the CDIM Survey and Scholarship Committee for many years, and served as Committee Chair from 2021 to 2023 and Vice-Chair from 2020 to 2021. I previously served on the AAIM Research Committee, the Innovations Grant Program, the CDIM Taskforces on Awards and Mentorship, and the AAIM Writing Group on ACGME program requirements and FTE support for subspecialists. I currently represent CDIM as Liaison on the Alliance for Clinical Education Council and Publication Committee.
I am proud to be part of an organization that is committed to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and has set DEI as a strategic imperative to best support its membership. I had the opportunity to contribute to the important work of the CDIM DEI group that has been tirelessly working on advocating for strategies to promote equity and address bias in clerkship education, including the clinical learning environment and assessment and grading. Recommendations from this group have been adopted by many medical schools and clerkships in other specialties. Additionally, my committee work has gained me a deep understanding of the diverse needs of CDIM members and given me opportunities to participate in initiatives that aim to address these needs, such as the revision of CDIM awards criteria to bolster diversity and inclusion, the expansion of faculty development and mentorship programs, and advocacy for more FTE support and resources for clerkship directors. Through my participation in the Survey and Scholarship Committee, I have worked on many surveys over the years contributing to the committee and organization’s efforts to advance the field of clinical medical education and support CDIM members’ scholarship and career advancement.
I am honored to be considered for a position on the CDIM Council. If elected as CDIM Councilor, I will continue my commitment to my CDIM colleagues and the organization, and advocate for more resources and support for CDIM members in their demanding roles as medical educators, administrators, and clinicians, and for more opportunities for new members and junior faculty to engage in the organization. I will also work on the crucial areas in medical education CDIM has been focusing on to optimize UME to GME transition and create inclusive and equitable learning environments that best support the diverse needs of our students and their success.
Andrew Caruso, MD
Assistant Professor and Clerkship Director
Baylor College of Medicine
I am running for CDIM Council to represent our diverse and dedicated CDIM society of educators for whom I have an immense amount of respect. CDIM was pivotal in helping me thrive as an early Clerkship Director and now, after close to ten years of being a Clerkship Director and in being an active member of our society, I hope to serve our organization as a council member. I believe our society is well-constituted to lead embracement of many opportunities that exist for modern medical education. Through my role as a member of the CDIM annual conference Program Planning Committee and in facilitating the New Clinical Leaders Precourse, I have come to appreciate the many challenges that our organization - and more broadly undergraduate medical education - faces in the years to come. I am driven to help with the undergraduate-to-graduate transition with regards to communication of skills pre- and post-application, the medical student-to-resident interview application and match process, and in the ever-challenging fairness of assessment in our core Internal Medicine courses. We have a professional responsibility to continue standard-setting for all medical schools in an ever-adapting and automated world. I have studied locally and am dedicated to amplify best practices for wellness, resiliency and safe learning environments to serve the newer generation of learners that will become the physicians that will care for us and our families in the years to come. I feel fortunate to be a member of this society and will do my best to serve our community to the best of my abilities. Thank you for considering me and I hope to meet you and learn with you at our next CDIM meeting this Spring in Columbus.
Danelle Cayea, MD
Clerkship Director/Vice Chair for Education
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Being an active member of the CDIM community is one of my greatest professional joys. As a CDIM council member I’d be enthusiastic about continuing the work of more fully integrating all UME educators into CDIM’s work and meeting and exploring expansion of faculty development opportunities within AAIM.
In addition to serving as a clerkship director for over 10 years, I currently serve as Vice Chair for Education for the Department of Medicine. In this role I am privileged to work with a variety of general and subspecialty UME educators and can bring their perspectives to Council. I have extensive teaching and curriculum development experience across all 4 years of medical school, including co-development and leadership of Hopkins’ first prep for internship course, teaching in the foundational clinical skills course, and developing and leading an integrated curricular horizontal thread. In my current role I support subinternship directors, lead a team of education administrators, and advise all IM applicants, write all SELs and collaborate closely with residency program directors. I have been highly active in the full spectrum of undergraduate medical education as well as a long serving clerkship director, work closely with administrators, and am active in the UME to GME transition. This breadth of experience gives me unique skills and perspective.
Similarly, I have been passionate about faculty development as the cornerstone of successful educational programs and professional satisfaction. CDIM is the professional home for many. It offers outstanding meeting content and has grown in its faculty development offerings. I’d like to work with Council to explore options for other types of faculty development and possible collaboration with other professional societies with a strong educator core. My experience in leading and designing faculty development efforts at my home institution, through national societies, and internationally will inform this work as will my 2 terms on the CDIM Program Planning Committee.
Lastly, a bit about me. I am a geriatrician-internist and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins. I moved to Baltimore 18 years ago after completing residency, fellowship, and a master’s in medical education at the University of Pittsburgh. I spend an above average amount of time thinking and learning about food and planning my next trip!
Adam M. Garber, MD, FACP, SFHM
Acting Internship Director
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
I attended my first AAIM Week as a sub-I director almost a decade ago after hearing colleagues rave about their AAIM experience. As a new clinician educator and junior faculty member, I was excited to see what the buzz around AAIM was all about. After that first AAIM Week conference, I felt right at home. I met many wonderful members, made new friendships, and felt energized to make the most of my educational career. Over the years my network of AAIM colleagues has multiplied and I now look forward to introducing others to the wonderful professional home that is AAIM and CDIM.
I have also been involved with AAIM through multiple committees and task forces over the years. I completed a four-year term as a member on the AAIM Medical Student to Resident Interface Committee (MSRIC), followed by serving on the Medical Education Learner Transitions Improvement (MELTI) Task Force and the Competencies Task Force. I have also served as a facilitator for the Sub-I pathway of the New CDs precourse during AAIM Week.
As a current member of the multi-organizational (ACGME, AACOM, and AAMC) Foundational Competencies Working Group, I can bring a unique perspective to CDIM council and foster cross-organization communication and collaboration. This national group is developing a common set of UME to GME competencies to bridge this gap and create a national standard. This project aims to impact our learners and the educational IM landscape nationwide.
Serving as the IM and current school-wide sub-I director for many years at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) SOM, I have gained experience developing and implementing competency-based sub-I curriculum across the school. My institution was one of the AAMC Core EPA pilot schools, which allowed me to gain experience implementing and teaching within this framework. I also co-facilitate the SOM Transition to Fourth Year and the Transition to Residency course at VCU. Additionally, I have experience teaching with the IM clerkship, including sessions on patient handoffs and facilitating clerkship morning reports. Finally, I have also helped in developing and refining our IM SEL at VCU and continue to serve as a fourth-year student advisor in IM. As you can see, I am passionate about UME and ensuring medical students are prepared for residency.
If elected to CDIM council, I envision working to broaden the inclusivity of CDIM beyond CDs. There is an opportunity to encourage clinician educators to join CDIM, including those from osteopathic institutions and clinicians looking to gain more experience and involvement in medical education. I also strive to continue the aim of CDIM council to improve the UME to GME transition.
I have cherished my time being an AAIM member, attending conferences, meeting fellow members and clinician educators that have led to collaborations and lasting friendships. I hope to serve as a council member to continue to foster the AAIM culture and promote the organization so that others can enjoy the same experience I have over the years.
Christopher J. King, MD
Clerkship Director
University of Colorado School of Medicine
For the past 10 years, CDIM has been an academic home where I have felt supported in growing my scholarship and administrative career. If elected to serve on CDIM Council, I will work to ensure that our members, regardless of their experience or institution, have the same opportunities I did to engage and grow with CDIM.
As the first in my family to graduate college and enter the medical field, I have worked to understand the culture, opportunities, and pitfalls in academic medicine. CDIM has provided me with mentorship and a safe space to understand this culture and a pathway through which I have learned to thrive. I have served on our NBME task force to collaborate with the National Board to bring the Medicine Subject Exam in line with our CDIM curriculum, which I contributed to writing and reviewing. This experience helped me develop an appreciation for the critical balance necessary between the breadth of content and the need for an approachable curriculum for all clerkship directors. The opportunity to explore how key decisions are made has given me profound respect for the thought our group puts into each project and decision. My aim as a member of CDIM Council will be to ensure all our members have equal opportunities to engage in these amazing opportunities and all voices are welcomed when future critical decisions are being made.
Our ability to drive education forward is dependent on our diverse community being engaged and welcomed in the conversation. I have been fortunate to contribute to our collective work on the CDIM Program Planning Committee. I have reviewed the posters and workshops submitted for presentation at our annual meeting and marveled at the breadth and depth of work being done across the country to improve medical education. Supporting work from a diverse group of educators at a wide range of institutions is the best way to deepen our understanding of how to best serve our learners. As a member of CDIM Council, I will aim to lower the barriers to engagement which will allow us to better lead internal medicine education locally and nationally.
CDIM membership and mentorship has been critical to my success as a medical educator, and I want others to find the same warm, welcoming people who are passionate about giving our students the best. My CDIM colleagues have shaped my life and career, from awarding me the Early Career Medical Student Educator award in 2020 to showing me how to build a career doing the educational work I love. Bringing in diverse voices from our community will only help broaden our understanding of clinical education while helping newer members grow and thrive. As a CDIM Council representative I will work to ensure all our members have the same opportunities.
Katherine R. Schafer, MD, FACP
Associate Professor
Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
My AAIM involvement began in 2018 when I became the inpatient Internal Medicine Clerkship Director (CD) at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, NC. I have had the privilege of serving on the CDIM Program Planning Committee since 2021. CDIM has provided an incredibly meaningful and fruitful space for me to grow as an educator, researcher, and colleague. The connections I have made through the organization and the content I have learned through its programming expanded my professional development beyond my expectations, leading to lasting friendships, collaborative scholarly productivity, and profound professional growth.
Electing me to join the CDIM Council would add representation of the southeast (currently, there is only once councilor from this region) and schools in suburban settings. Additionally, as an Infectious Disease physician who is a CD who also attends on general medicine teaching wards, I bring the unique perspective of the role of subspecialists in UME. My greatest professional strength is promoting collaboration and engaging with colleagues from diverse perspectives/backgrounds to reach a common goal (e.g. our group publication, “The Grade Debate in Medical Education,” in the American Journal of Medicine).
As a CDIM Councilor, I plan to focus on the existing strategic goals of: 1) UME to GME transition and 2) promoting innovation in medical education research to promote a "level playing field." Specifically, I hope to work on scholarly projects that could facilitate a better understanding of optimal assessment practices that benefit both the UME and GME realms and their respective agendas, including the minimization of bias. Additionally, I hope to identify more opportunities for CDIM to collaborate with ASP to promote learner engagement with subspecialists both to expose students to the breadth of careers in IM and as another aspect of the UME to GME transition. Lastly, I would like to facilitate a more visible partnership with the CDIM-CA group and create more crossover programming (e.g. how a CD can support the professional development of their CA).
I am honored to be a part of the CDIM community and value the opportunity to contribute in any small way to its mission.