 Division
of Medical Education and Community Outreach
Points of Contact:
Suzanne Satterfield, M.D., Dr.P.H.
Pamela D. Connor, Ph.D.
Stephanie A. Connelly, M.D., M.P.H.
EDUCATION
The department's medical education mission is advanced through courses
offered during the four years of medical school; through the Prevention,
Community, and Culture curriculum; through a dual-option elective for
fourth-year medical students, and through the Master
of Science in Epidemiology Program. In addition, the department
hosts a Certificate
in Clinical Research program, which offers online, introductory
graduate courses related to the effective, efficient conduct of clinical
research. Several of our faculty members have received teaching awards,
and an online network server has been developed for graduate education
in biostatistics and epidemiology.
 Prevention,
Community, and Culture Curriculum
The Prevention, Community, and Culture (PCC) curriculum introduces
medical students to patient care through cases structured along a preventive
medicine theme. Cases also include human behavior issues, ethics, professionalism,
alternative and complementary medicine, nutrition and epidemiology.
The case discussions are in small groups facilitated by a clinician
and require self-directed learning, synthesis of information, and presentation
skills. In addition, a community (service-learning) project is required
where the student will learn the challenges of community organizations
in providing services for clients. This is a longitudinal curriculum
that spans all four years of medical school. The curriculum aims to
develop in graduates a thorough understanding of the needs of patients,
families, and communities, with a view toward health promotion and disease
prevention.
Preventive
Medicine Elective for 4th-year Medical Students
The preventive-medicine elective offers fourth-year medical students
the opportunity to pursue one of the following concentrations: (1) population
health--improving students' ability to deal with diverse patient populations,
especially Hispanic patients; (2) health policy--developing students'
understanding of the policy process, community health problems, and
mechanisms for change.
Master
of Science in Epidemiology Program
The Master
of Science in Epidemiology Program is designed to provide
the necessary methodological skills for students to be able independently
to pursue epidemiological research in their chosen areas. As part of
the program, students receive training in epidemiology, biostatistics,
health research methods, and health behavior and promotion. The program
is offered to qualified applicants holding baccalaureate, masters' or
professional degrees in a variety of disciplines, including physical,
biological, and social sciences, as well as the health and medical sciences.
The program emphasizes training current health professionals to develop
and enhance their research design, measurement methods, and data analysis
skills.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
 Department
of Preventive Medicine faculty and staff contribute to public service
through a variety of community activities, including attention to health-care
needs of medically underserved populations, and collaborative projects
with other university faculty, health professionals, and agencies. Areas
of special interest include cardiovascular health, physical activity,
smoking cessation, diabetes, and the health of women and children. This
department has a history of community involvement stemming from the leadership
of John W. Runyan, Jr., M.D., department chair from 1972 to 1994, who
initiated one of the nation's first community-based, nurse-run, chronic-disease
treatment programs, which was honored by the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute and led to the development of the Memphis Hypertension
Preventive Medicine Coalition (MHPMC). For more details on community outreach
and departmental projects, visit the following links:
Related links:
|
