Rabkin Fellowship in Medical Education
Request for Application
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RABKIN FELLOWSHIP IN MEDICAL EDUCATION
REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
FELLOWSHIP PERIOD: JULY 1, 2014 – JUNE 30, 2015
The Shapiro Institute for Education and Research at Harvard Medical School and
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is pleased to announce a Request for Applications for
a one-year Rabkin Fellowship in Medical Education for academic year 2015.
Established in 1998 in honor of Mitchell Rabkin, M.D., CEO emeritus of Beth Israel Hospital,
the Fellowship provides faculty with an opportunity to develop the expertise and skills
needed to launch or advance academic careers in medical education and/or educational
leadership. The Rabkin Fellowship is open to faculty members who have a primary
appointment at HMS and who currently teach at a Harvard-affiliated institution.
The Rabkin Fellowship is co-directed by C. Christopher Smith, M.D. and Lori R. Newman,
M.Ed. Invited leaders in the field of medical education facilitate selected seminar sessions
and provide support to the Fellowship, including Dr. Charles Hatem, founding director of
the Rabkin Fellowship.
Goals of the Rabkin Fellowship
By participating in this Fellowship, faculty will:
 Develop and enhance their skills as medical educators
 Conduct education research or undertake a project in an area of importance
pertaining to any level of medical education, including UME, GME, and CME
 Learn the principles of effective academic leadership and develop the skills
needed to create educational change
 Become members of a community of educators dedicated to excellence in
teaching and the creation of effective learning environments across the
continuum of medical education
Rabkin Fellowship content and structure
The Rabkin Fellowship involves participation in a weekly, two-hour seminar, as well as the
development of an educational project or research investigation in medical education. The
Fellowship curriculum covers a broad spectrum of historical and contemporary issues in
medical education, including topics such as:
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Application of adult learning theories to clinical settings
Curriculum development and evaluation
Learner assessment and feedback
Teaching skills for the classroom as well as at the bedside, ambulatory, and
other clinical arenas
Connecting the humanities to academic medicine
Educational administration and leadership
Financing of medical education
Professional self-renewal
Rabkin Fellowship in Medical Education
Request for Application
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Experiential learning is a core component of the Fellowship. Fellows conduct teaching
observations, are videotaped lecturing, engage in role plays, facilitate case-based
discussions, and design and lead medical education sessions.
Rabkin Fellows are required to select a mentor to help guide their educational project or
research work. All fellows attend required medical education research sessions at HMS,
follow a project management plan, and submit monthly status reports.
Fellowship graduation requirements are satisfied by seminar preparation, attendance, and
participation as well as completion of the educational research study or project. All fellows
present their work at a concluding symposium.
Rabkin Fellowship project proposals
While all proposals will be considered, the Fellowship Directors seek projects that will have
the greatest contribution to the field of medical education. Potential topics can be
applicable to students, residents, fellows, or faculty and might focus on topics such as:
Critical Thinking
Cross-Cultural Care
Educational Environment
Education Technology
Feedback and Assessment (of learners or educators)
Global Health
Hidden Curriculum
Innovative Pedagogical Methods
Inter-professional or Inter-disciplinary Education
Mentoring
Peer Observation of Teaching
Remediation
Resident-as-Teacher
Simulation
Teaching and/or Assessment of
- Clinical Competency
- Communication Skills
- Patient Safety
- Professionalism
- Quality Improvement
- Value Added Care
Rabkin Fellowship in Medical Education
Request for Application
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Financial support
HMS faculty members who are interested in advancing their educational and leadership
skills as they launch or continue to develop their academic careers in medicine are
encouraged to apply. Rabkin Fellows in Medical Education should plan to commit
20% of their total work effort toward the Fellowship Program. A stipend of $20,000 is
provided to Rabkin Fellows whose primary hospital appointments are made through
departments at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The Shapiro Institute disburses the
stipend to the fellow’s departmental budget in remuneration for the fellow’s time to
participate in the program.
While Rabkin Fellowships in Medical Education are open to all faculty members who have a
primary appointment at HMS and who are currently engaged in ongoing teaching activities
within the HMS system, stipends for fellows outside of BIDMC must be provided by the
sponsoring Harvard-affiliated institution.
All applicants must submit a letter from their Department Chair or Division Chief indicating
a commitment to provide dedicated time (20% FTE) to attend the weekly seminar,
participate in educational activities, and complete the Fellowship project as described
above.
Selection process
All applications will be reviewed by the Fellowship Co-directors. Finalists will be invited for
an interview with the directors. Selection criteria include:
 A track record of commitment to medical education and a current venue for
teaching ( e.g. medical students, residents, fellows)
 Demonstrated interest in scholarly exploration and application of medical
education principles
 Clear rationale explaining how the Fellowship will help achieve one’s professional
goals
 Commitment to prepare for and actively participate in the weekly seminars
 Commitment to contribute to the group learning process
 A feasible project proposal with direct applicability to the field of medical
education and a commitment to complete the project.
Fellows are chosen through a competitive process by the Rabkin Fellowship in Medical
Education selection committee. In choosing the Fellowship class, attention is paid to group
balance as well as discipline and institutional diversity.
Application Process
For instructions on how to apply to the Fellowship, please refer to the attached forms titled
“Application Instructions” and “Coversheet.”
All applications are due by Friday, February 28, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. without exception.
Rabkin Fellowship awards will be announced in April 2014.
Rabkin Fellowship in Medical Education
Request for Application
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RABKIN FELLOWSHIP IN MEDICAL EDUCATION
FOR THE FELLOWSHIP PERIOD JULY 1, 2014 – JUNE 30, 2015
www.bidmc.org/rabkinfellowship
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
The following application documents should be sent in a single email to the contact noted at the
bottom of this form:
 The application coversheet
 A personal statement describing your interest in teaching and/or educational leadership,
and outlining what you hope to gain from the Fellowship
 A one-to-two page description of a project or issue you wish to pursue during the
Fellowship year. Must include a clear statement of purpose and a description of how the
project will address a current topic in medical education
 A copy of your updated Curriculum Vitae in HMS format.
The following 3 letters of recommendation are also needed:
 A letter of recommendation and support from your Department Chair or Division Chief,
which should include a statement of commitment to provide dedicated time (20% FTE)
for you during the Fellowship year
 Two letters of recommendation from colleagues, supervisors, or trainees who can attest
to your commitment and involvement in medical education.
Letters of recommendation should be addressed to the Rabkin Fellowship in Medical Education
Selection Committee and sent via email directly from the author to the contact noted at the
bottom of this form.
All applications will be reviewed by the Fellowship Co-directors. Finalists will be invited for an
interview with the directors.
The deadline for receipt of a completed application package is
Friday, February 28, 2014 at 5:00 PM
CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Langley, Shapiro Institute for Education and Research at HMS and
BIDMC, email: ealangle@bidmc.harvard.edu; tel: 617-667- 0908; fax: 617-667-9122
Rabkin Fellowship in Medical Education
Request for Application
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RABKIN FELLOWSHIP IN MEDICAL EDUCATION AY2014-2015
APPLICATION COVER SHEET
Today’s Date:
1.
Last name:
First name:
Middle initial:
2.
Post-graduate degree(s):
HMS academic title:
3.
HMS affiliated institution:
Department/Division:
4.
Title of proposed project:
5.
Your mailing address and contact information Address:
City:
State:
Best daytime phone #:
Zip:
Page Operator # and page ID:
6.
Name/title of Department Head or Division Chief:
7.
Names and contact information of your two reference letters:
Reference Name
Phone#
E-mail:
Email address
i.
ii.
The deadline for receipt of a completed application package is
Friday, February 28, 2014 at 5:00 PM
CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Langley, Shapiro Institute for Education and Research at HMS and BIDMC,
email: ealangle@bidmc.harvard.edu; tel: 617-667- 0908; fax: 617-667-9122.