The Path of Distinction in Medical Education (PoD MedEd) awards distinction at graduation for SMPH students in the MD program who complete requirements demonstrating significant achievement in medical education. The PoD MedEd program provides students with opportunities for focused electives, teaching experiences, education research, and scholarship. It serves as a foundation for teaching in residency and careers in academic medicine.
Requirements
Graduation with Distinction in Medical Education will be conferred upon those SMPH medical students who, in addition to completing the requirements for the MD degree, satisfactorily complete the following requirements by March 1 of the year of graduation:
- Good standing in the Medical School Program
- Complete Research and Scholarship Online Modules as a prerequisite for Medical Education Project
- Complete Teaching and Learning Online Modules as a prerequisite to Phase 3 electives
- Complete a 2-4 credit Medical Education Teaching Elective in Phase 3
- Identify and work with a mentor to complete a Medical Education Project related to an area(s) of interest by March 1 of graduation year. This project can be completed as a Shapiro Research Project during the summer of Phase 1 or as a 4-8 credit Independent Study elective during Phase 3. Projects are required to include a scholarly component that must be disseminated via presentation in a professional forum, such as the SMPH Medical Education Day, a session of the Medical Education Learning Community, or another comparable conference or departmental medical education day. Complete a mentor agreement and submit it in SMApply when you submit your project proposal.
- Participate in the Medical Education Learning Community and, starting with our 2025 graduates, attend at least 6 Learning Community Sessions. Our 2024 graduating class will continue to have a requirement of 3.
Progress toward Meeting PoD MedEd Requirements
This website is meant to be the place where you gain information about the program and the required components associated with Path of Distinction in Medical Education. It is also where you will complete your Foundations in Medical Education Modules.
All requirements are submitted through SSMApply. Please note that some items require approval in the application system. This application is designed to be completed over time and as tasks are completed, it is not intended to be filled out at the last minute.
Acceptance Criteria and Application Process
All requirements must be completed and an application for the distinction must be submitted within the timeframe of July 1- March 1 of Phase 3. Students who wish to have the distinction as part of their MSPE should submit by July 1. Applications will include a summary of the medical education project.
Students wanting to indicate on their MSPE that they are on-track to complete the Path of Distinction in Medical Education and are working on meeting the March 1st deadline, please make sure your SMApply stays up-to-date with completion of tasks.
Requirements for indicating you are on-track for completing the Path of Distinction in Medical Education for your MSPE are:
- Have your application started in SMApply
- Complete the Declaration of Intent in SMApply
- Have your Project Plan approved in SMApply and started your Medical Education Project
- Have registered for a teaching elective
- Complete the ELOs and indicate it in SMApply
- Attend at least 6 Learning Community Events
Most students who are progressing as expected will receive wording that they are on-track for their MSPE. If students have completed all the requirements, submitted their application, and have received approval for the July 1st deadline, then they will receive wording for their MSPE that they have completed the path.
Please contact Katy Rosko is you have any concerns about meeting these requirements.
For any questions related to the program, please contact Katy Rosko at krosko@wisc.edu