Washington, D.C., March 3, 2003 - In its continuing efforts to improve the quality of medical education in the United States, and to meet the needs of a rapidly changing health care delivery system, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has launched the "Institute for Improvement in Medical Education."

During the last five years, the AAMC's medical education reform activities have mainly focused on the first phase of medical education - medical school. This new AAMC Institute will expand those efforts to include the final two phases of medical education: residency training and continuing medical education.

Ten medical school deans from around the country have been asked to serve on the Institute's Advisory Board. Joseph Martin, M.D., Ph.D., dean of Harvard Medical School, has been selected to chair the group. Other board members are:

A. Lorris Betz, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior VP/Dean, University of Utah School of Medicine

Peter J. Deckers, M.D.
Executive VP/Dean, University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Steven G. Gabbe, M.D.
Dean, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

E. Nigel Harris, M.D.
Senior VP/Dean, Morehouse School of Medicine

Darrell G. Kirch, M.D.
CEO, Milton Hershey Medical Center
Senior VP/Dean, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine

Lois Margaret Nora, M.D., J.D.
President/Dean, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine

Paul G. Ramsey, M.D.
VP/Dean, University of Washington School of Medicine

Arthur H. Rubenstein, Mb.Chb.
Executive VP, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Dean, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Anthony J. Windebank, M.D.
Dean, Mayo Medical School

Over the next year, the board will coordinate a comprehensive review of the current state of medical education in the country, in order to set a strategic direction for reform across the medical education process. The Advisory Board is expected to release the results of this review by February 2004. Their findings will serve as a blueprint for the Institute's future projects and activities.

"The work of improving medical education knows no end," said AAMC President Jordan J. Cohen, M.D., "It must reflect the evolving nature of societal needs, business practices, and scientific developments. The members of this board demonstrate a commitment to evolving the process of medical education - they will create the vision that guides the Institute's work."

The Institute will examine ways to improve medical education curricula, reform the clinical education of students and residents, enhance public health education in medical schools, promote professionalism during medical education and training, engage in international medical education activities, and better meet the need for the continued professional development of physicians once they enter practice.

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The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 129 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 94 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 109,000 faculty members, 67,000 medical students, and 104,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.

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