“Better Together”
Hosted by FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Date: April 28-30, 2025
Location: Miami, FL (Miami Marriott Dadeland)
We are pleased to announce our upcoming joint conference with our esteemed affinity partners within the southern region:
- Group on Educational Affairs (GEA)
- Group on Student Affairs (GSA)
- Organization of Student Representatives (OSR)
We cordially invite you to join us for this collaborative event, which promises to be an enriching experience featuring:
- Research Abstracts
- Innovation Abstracts
- Workshops
- Small Group Discussions
- Panels
Key Topics:
- Accreditation
- Transitions in Student Affairs and Medical Education
- Professionalism and Academic Performance/Progression
- Expanding DEI knowledge, practices, and language in the Learning Environment
- Curriculum: Teaching and learning pedagogies and curricular innovation
- AI, simulation, and technology
- Assessment and evaluation
- Professional and Leadership development
- Advising strategy and models
- Wellbeing and flourishing
This unique partnership allows us to bring together diverse perspectives and expertise from across medical education, student affairs, and student representatives. The conference will offer unparalleled opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and professional development
Registration opens: 2025
Conference Co-Chairs:
- Michele Birch, MD
- Stephanie B. Corliss, PhD
Host Co-Chairs:
- Yolangel Hernandez Suarez, MD, MBA, FACOG
- Rebecca L. Toonkel, MD
OSR Planning Hosts
- Kassandra Jade
- Caroline Ezekwesili
- Hope Cherian
Call for proposals opening soon! We look forward to seeing you in Miami!
Session Types
Research in Medical Education Abstract Proposal
Purpose: Includes works to promote dissemination and discussion of research and its application to medical education.
Time/Format: Submissions will be peer reviewed and accepted abstracts will be selected for either poster or oral presentation. Presenting authors should be familiar enough with the project to discuss relevant literature, present findings, and answer questions.
- Oral presentations: 10-minute in-person presentation with a maximum of 12 slides, as well as time for Q&A with the presenter. First authors have the option to “opt out” of an oral presentation during the submission process.
- Poster presentations: Presenters are expected to be available to discuss their research with session attendees in-person during the designated poster session.
Proposals are limited to 300 words and must include:
- Research statement/question
- Background and/or theoretical framework and relevance of the study
- Design and methods
- Results of data collection and analysis
- Limitations
- Conclusions
Required but not included in 300-word count:
- Title
- Author(s) and affiliated institutions
- References (limit 4)
Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:
- Clarity of research statement/question
- Strength of background and/or theoretical framework and relevance of the study
- Strength of research design and methods
- Relevance of results
- Limitations and soundness of conclusions
- Clarity of writing
Innovations in Medical Education Abstract Proposal
Purpose: Includes works to promote dissemination and discussion of scholarly educational innovations and their application to medical education.
Time/Format: Submissions will be peer reviewed and accepted abstracts will be selected for either poster or oral presentation. Presenting authors should be familiar enough with the project to discuss relevant literature, present findings, and answer questions.
- Oral presentations: 10-minute in-person presentation with a maximum of 12 slides, as well as time for Q&A with the presenter. First authors have the option to “opt out” of an oral presentation during the submission process.
- Poster presentations: Presenters are expected to be available to discuss their research with session attendees in-person during the designated poster session.
Proposals are limited to 300 words and must include:
- Objective or purpose of innovation
- Background and/or theoretical framework and importance to the field
- Innovation Design
- Evaluation Plan: methods and measures
- Outcomes
- Feasibility and transferability
Required but not included in 300-word count:
- Title
- Author(s) and affiliated institutions
- References (limit 4)
Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:
- Clarity of what was novel, new or innovative
- Strength of background and/or theoretical framework and relevance
- Strength of evaluation plan (methods and materials)
- Relevance of outcomes
- Quality of reflective critique about the innovation
- Clarity of writing
Key Differences Between Research and Innovations
The table below summarizes some of the similarities and differences in Research and Innovation abstract submissions.
| Section | Research | Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Strong rationale with theoretical framework applied | Strong rationale with theoretical framework applied; What was new, novel or innovative? |
| Methods | Clear methods and data analysis | Emphasis on evaluation plan |
| Results | Results are complete and relevant | Outcomes are clearly defined |
| Conclusions | Sound conclusions and limitations discussed | Feasibility, sustainability, and transferability; Quality of reflective critique about the innovation |
Workshops
Purpose: Skill-oriented, interactive experience for participants which will allow them to take home specific knowledge and skills.
Time/Format: Conference workshops will be 60 minutes in length. It is expected that the workshop activities will include hands-on practice and/or active learning for a majority of the workshop time.
Proposals are limited to 750 words and must include:
- Rationale: Why the topic is important, timely, and its relevant to medical education. Why participants would be interested in this topic.
- Learning Objectives: What participates will know or be able to do as a result of this session.
- Session Methods and Format: Indicate the amount of time to be allocated to each element of the session. Describe the format of the session and the methods that will be used to actively involve participants.
- Experience: In one sentence per speaker, describe the experience of the speaker(s) relevant to the topic being presented.
Required but not included in 750-word count:
- Title
- Author(s) and affiliated institutions
Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:
- Strength of the rationale for the topic and interest potential
- Clarity of learning objectives
- Clarity and appropriateness of session methods and format
- Strategies for active learning
- Qualifications of the speaker(s)
- Clarity of writing
Submission Deadline: CLOSED
Theme: Medical Education in a Changing Climate
Notes about ratings for all abstract types
Rating Scale for each criterion:
- 1=Poor (major concerns)
- 2=Below Average (minor concerns)
- 3=Average (typical; a majority of proposals should fall here)
- 4=Above Average (better than typical)
- 5=Excellent (truly outstanding)
Overall Decision:
- Accept: (this is an excellent proposal, strongly support it being in the program)
- Accept with Reservations; Please explain: (this proposal has strong qualities but minor concerns, would include in program if space permits)
- Reject; Please explain: (this proposal has major concerns, do not support it being on the program)
Additional information
- System will collect submitter’s contact information, presentation title, content domain, intended audience, and abstract type