Roger Greene
Director, Public Relations/Marketing
(212) 410-8147
On a recent Friday, the faculty of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine gathered off-campus for the annual NYCPM Faculty Retreat. Traditionally, the retreat has been more than just a time for reviewing the state of the College, hearing updates from the various departments and taking care of academic and administrative housekeeping items. A substantial block of time during the day is given over to guest speakers who address issues at the heart of teaching and learning, issues central to what is most important to fulfilling the College's mission.
This year, after a welcome by Michael J. Trepal, DPM, NYCPM's Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, the entire four-hour morning session was given over to Susan Jacovino, Ph.D. and David Swanson, Ph.D., psychometricians from the National Board of Medical Examiners, who gave presentations and conducted workshops on current concepts in medical written examinations and on developing state-of-the-art assessment instruments. Interest in these topics ran high, and NYCPM faculty members became active participants in the ensuing dialogue.
During lunch, Andrew Shapiro, DPM, a member of the Board of Trustees of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association, spoke briefly about the importance of membership in the state and national associations. NYPCM President Louis L. Levine spoke next, welcoming everyone. He and Joel Sturm, VP Administration, then gave out faculty and administration service awards for those with service anniversaries ranging from five to thirty years.
In the afternoon, Mark H. Swartz, MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine and Vice President, Medical and Professional Affairs at NYCPM, spoke about the assessment of clinical competencies. After discussing the importance of good doctor-patient communication skills, he provided a detailed description of the recently-instituted CAPSTONE assessment program at NYCPM, in which all third-year students were required to conduct examinations of two standardized patients - actors trained to simulate particular disease states and to perform as a patient would during an exam - and to reach a diagnosis of the complaint when possible.
Following Dr. Swartz's presentation, the day concluded with a presentation by a lecturer from New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, on the effective use of PowerPoint presentations.
The major sponsor for this year's retreat was KCI, which provided a charitable grant. Breakfast was sponsored by PICA, and sponsorship funds were also contributed by ecv3.
Photo above:
Mark H. Swartz, M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine and Vice President, Medical and Professional Affairs at NYCPM (at podium), introduces David Swanson, Ph.D., and Susan Jacovino, Ph.D., psychometricians from the National Board of Medical Examiners, who gave presentations and led workshops at the recent NYCPM Faculty Retreat.
New York College of Podiatric Medicine
The New York College of Podiatric Medicine, established in 1911, is the first and largest of the eight U.S. schools of podiatric medicine. Its clinical affiliate - Foot Clinics of New York - is the world's largest foot health center, recording nearly 30,000 patient visits a year. NYCPM has graduated more than 25% of all practicing podiatrists in the nation, and is at the forefront of podiatric care in terms of education, public awareness, government legislation and professional advancement. Visit the College's website at www.nycpm.edu and the website of the Foot Clinics at www.footclinic.org for more information.
