The I-EXPLORE curriculum is design to prioritize collaboration, diversity, community needs, and learner-centered education resulting in patient-centered care. To accomplish this design, the Committee on Educational Policy (CEP) is responsible for curriculum oversight, rather than individual academic/clinical departments. Each course in the Pre-Clerkship curriculum is a collaborative effort that includes the three course directors, multiple discipline leaders, the thread leaders, and problem-based learning facilitators. These efforts ensure both horizontal and vertical integration are achieved, active learning sessions are utilized, and time is retained for self-directed learning. Each clerkship has two Clerkship Directors who collaborate on course design, administration and implementation.

Each required course has three Course Directors, one for each pillar of the curriculum: Biomedical Science, Clinical Science and Health Systems Science. The Course Directors collaborate on course administration, including scheduling, content organization and integration, assessment, and communication. Course Directors are encouraged to teach within the course, but it is not required.

Course Faculty Department(s)
Brain and Behavior, Biomedical Science Pillar, Course Director Elva Diaz, Ph.D. Pharmacology
Brain and Behavior, Clinical Science Pillar, Course Director Lane Squires, M.D. Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Brain and Behavior, Health Systems Science Pillar, Course Director Melissa Hopkins, M.D. Psychiatry and Behavioral Services
Endocrinology, Reproduction, and Gastrointestinal Systems, Biomedical Science Pillar, Course Director Colleen Sweeney, Ph.D. Biochemistry and Moledular Medicine
Endocrinology, Reproduction, and Gastrointestinal Systems, Clinical Science Pillar, Course Director Melody Hou, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Endocrinology, Reproduction, and Gastrointestinal Systems, Health Systems Science Pillar, Course Director Melissa Matulich, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Cardiology, Pulmonology and Renal Systems, Biomedical Science Pillar, Course Director Jeremy Chien, Ph.D. Physiology and Membrane Biology
Cardiology, Pulmonology and Renal Systems, Clinical Science Pillar, Course Director Nandakishor Kapa, M.D., M.P.H. Internal Medicine, Nephrology
Cardiology, Pulmonology and Renal Systems, Health Systems Science Pillar, Course Director Elham Vali Betts, M.D. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Human Architecture and Function, Biomedical Science Pillar, Course Director Hana Anderson, Ph.D. Internal Medicine, Cell Biology and Human Anatomy
Human Architecture and Function, Clinical Science Pillar, Course Director Daniel Cates, M.D. Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Human Architecture and Function, Health Systems Science Pillar, Course Director James Bourgeois, O.D., M.P.A., M.D. Psychiatry and Behavioral Services
Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Biomedical Science Pillar, Course Director Colleen Sweeney, Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine 
Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Clinical Science Pillar, Course Director Daniel Colby, M.D. Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology
Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Health Systems Science Pillar, Course Director James Chenoweth, M.D. Emergency Medicine
Pathogens and Host Defense, Biomedical Science Pillar, Course Director Barbara Shacklett, Ph.D. Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Pathogens and Host Defense, Clinical Science Pillar, Course Director Archana Reddy, M.D. Internal Medicine, Infection Disease
Pathogens and Host Defense, Health Systems Science Pillar, Course Director Rachael Lucatorto, M.D. Internal Medicine
Pre-Clerkship Intersession Course (I-RESTORE), Co-Course Director Lara Zimmermann, M.D. Neurology
Pre-Clerkship Intersession Course (I-RESTORE), Co-Course Director Jennifer Karlin, M.D., Ph.D. Family and Community Medicine
Skin and Musculoskeletal Systems, Biomedical Science Pillar, Course Director Barbara Shacklett, Ph.D. Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Skin and Musculoskeletal Systems, Clinical Science Pillar, Course Director Ellen Fitzpatrick, M.D. Orthopaedic Surgery
Skin and Musculoskeletal Systems, Health Systems Science Pillar, Course Director Rachael Lucatorto, M.D. Internal Medicine

Discipline Leaders organize their discipline content across the entirety of the curriculum. They collaborate with course directors, thread leaders, and one another to ensure the discipline content is appropriately integrated and spans each educational phase. Discipline Leaders are the primary instructors for their discipline content.

Discipline Faculty Department(s)
Anatomy Richard Tucker, Ph.D. Cell Biology and Human Anatomy
Biochemistry Colleen Sweeney, Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine 
Bioethics  Nisha Punatar, M.D. Internal Medicine
Cardiology Surabhi Atreja, M.D. Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
Clinical Skills (co) Anthony Bhe, M.D. Internal Medicine
Clinical Skills (co) Alicia Gonzalez-Flores, M.D. Internal Medicine
Clinical Skills (co) Jessica Witkowski, M.D. Pediatrics
Clinical Skills in the Clerkship Phase Lucy Shi, M.D. Internal Medicine
Dermatology Maija Kiuru, M.D., Ph.D. Dermatology
Endocrinology Polly F. Teng, M.D. Internal Medicine
Gastroenterology Jeffrey Ko, M.D. Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Genetics Hana Anderson, Ph.D. Internal Medicine, Cell Biology and Human Anatomy
Health Equity (co) Adeola Oni-Orisan M.D. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Health Equity (co) Mary Kathryn Orsulak, M.D., M.P.H., M.S. Family Medicine
Health Systems Science (co) Anne Flynne, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Health Systems Science (co) Jeffrey Hoch, Ph.D. Public Health Sciences
Health Systems Science (co) Rachael Lucatorto, M.D. Internal Medicine
Health Systems Science (co) Juliana Melo, M.D., M.S.C.S. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Health Systems Science (co) Ulfat Shaikh, M.D., M.P.A., M.S. Pediatrics
Hematology Anjlee Mahajan, M.D. Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology
Histology Paul FitzGerald, Ph.D. Cell Biology and Human Anatomy
Immunology  Barbara Shacklett, Ph.D. Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Microbiology Stuart Cohen, M.D. Internal Medicine, Medical Microbiology
Musculoskeletal Systems Barton Wise, M.D., M.S. Orthopaedic Surgery, Internal Medicine
Nephrology (co) Shubha Ananthakrishnan, M.D. Internal Medicine
Nephrology (co) Lavjay Butani, M.D., M.A.C.M. Pediatrics
Neuroanatomy Henry Ho, Ph.D. Cell Biology and Human Anatomy
Neuroscience (co) Ryan Martin, M.D. Neurology
Neuroscience (co) Jeffrey Vitt, M.D. Neurology
Nutrition Daniel Okamoto, M.D. Internal Medicine
Obstetrics and Gynecology Melody Ho, M.D., M.P.H. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ophthalmology Jeffrey Ma, M.D. Ophthalmology
Otolaryngology Lane Squires, M.D. Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Pathology Elham Vali Betts, M.D. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Pediatrics Alexis Toney, M.D. Pediatrics 
Pharmacology (co) Elva Diaz, Ph.D. Pharmacology
Pharmacology (co) Heike Wulff, Ph.D. Pharmacology
Physiology Gerald Zavorksy, Ph.D. Physiology and Membrane Biology
Point of Care Ultrasound Sarah Medeiros, M.D., M.P.H. Emergency Medicine
Procedural Skills Paul Frank, MD Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Psychiatry Jason Roof, M.D. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Pulmonology Nicholas Stollenwerk, M.D. Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
Radiology Shannon Navarro, M.D., M.P.H. Radiology
Longitudinal Clinical Experience (co) Katie Christiansen, M.D. Internal Medicine
Longitudinal Clinical Experience (co) Lucy Shi, M.D. Internal Medicine
Urology Thenappan Chandrasekar, M.D. Urology

Thread Leaders organize thread content across the entirety of the curriculum. They collaborate with course directors, discipline leaders, and one another to ensure the thread content is appropriately integrated and incorporated over each educational phase. Thread Leaders might participate in the instruction of the thread content, but most often it is taught by course directors and discipline leaders.

Thread Faculty
Department
Behavioral Health Andres Sciolla, M.D. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Care for Vulnerable Populations Serena Yang, M.D., M.P.H. Pediatrics
Pain Medicine  Naileshni Singh, M.D. Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Preventive Medicine Brandee Waite, M.D. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Stages of Life (co) Grace Amadi, M.D. Family and Community Medicine
Stages of Life (co) Lavjay Butani, M.D. Pediatrics

Areas of Scholarly Concentration (ASC) are optional longitudinal elective experiences that include academic modules and projects for interested students. Mentors for the ASC create student learning communities that span the duration of medical education. The mentors collaborate with other School of Medicine educational leaders and committees to develop topical content and guide students on special projects.

Area of Scholarly Concentration Faculty Mentor Department(s)
Global Health Angel Desai, M.D., and Michael Wilkes, M.D. Internal Medicine
Health Care Advocacy and Policy Juliana Melo, M.D., M.S.C.S. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Medical Education Emily Andrada-Brown, M.D. Emergency Medicine
Quality Improvement Ulfat Shaikh, M.D., M.P.H., M.S. Pediatrics
Research Saul Schaefer, M.D. Internal Medicine

Individual problem-based learning (PBL) facilitators lead a group of 6-8 students throughout the pre-clerkship phase of their learning. In PBL, students study a case, select learning objectives, identify and assess appropriate resources for relevant information, and teach one another the learned content. This active learning approach strengthens student communication and professionalism skills. PBL Facilitators help guide group sessions using cases and provide student feedback on their teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills.

I-EXPLORE Role Faculty Department(s)
Problem Based Learning Facilitator and Program Lead Maya Evans, M.D. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Mustafa Ansari, M.D. Neurology
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Simon Ascher, M.D., M.P.H. Internal Medicine
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Joanna Baginski, M.D. Internal Medicine
Problem Based Learning Facilitator William Benko, M.D. Neurology
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Florence Chau-Etchepare, M.D. Internal Medicine: Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Tsung-Yi Chen, M.D., Ph.D Neurology
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Jeremy Chien, Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Frank Chuang, Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Amy George, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Problem Based Learning Facilitator David Hessl, Ph.D. Psychiatry
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Nisa Hatami, M.D. Internal Medicine
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Imran Khan, Ph.D. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Armaiti Mody, M.D. Pediatrics
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Sean Munoz, M.D. Pediatrics
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Stephen Noctor, Ph.D. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Viharkumar Patel, M.D. Pathology
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Archana Reddy, M.D. Internal Medicine
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Resmi Ravindran, Ph.D. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Sumathi Sankaran-Walters, M.B.B.S., Ph.D. Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Flora Tassone, Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Huixia Wei, M.D. Internal Medicine
Problem Based Learning Facilitator Konstantinos Zarbalis, Ph.D. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

 

Each clerkship has two Clerkship Directors who collaborate on course design, administration, implementation, communication, didactic instruction, required clinical experiences, and assessments. Clerkship Directors execute the clinical course seven (7) times each academic year, often working with regional clinical affiliates for diversified student experiences.

Clerkship Faculty Department(s)
Clerkship Intersession Course (co) Colleen Sweeney, Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
Clerkship Intersession Course (co) Jennifer Plant, M.D., M.Ed. Pediatrics
Clerkship Intersession Course (co) Ulfat Shaikh, M.D., M.P.H., M.S. Pediatrics
Family and Community Medicine (co) Jennifer Karlin, M.D., Ph.D. Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine (co) Kris Srinivasan, M.D. Family and Community Medicine
Internal Medicine (co) Kristen Kelley, M.D., M.A.S. Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine (co) Hershan Johl, M.D. Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine (co) Shaheen Najafi, M.D. Internal Medicine 
OB/GYN (co) Jocylen Glassberg, M.D. Obstetrics and Gynecology
OB/GYN (co) Melody Hou, M.D. M.P.H. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pediatrics (co) Eric Crossen, M.D. Pediatrics 
Pediatrics (co) Alexis Toney, M.D. Pediatrics 
Psychiatry (co) Lorin Scher, M.D. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Psychiatry (co) Andres Sciolla, M.D. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Surgery (co) Ho Phan, M.D. Surgery
Surgery (co) Jonathan Pierce, M.D. Surgery

In the Post-Clerkship phase students participate in a required advanced clinical clerkship and acting internships within neurology, emergency medicine, and an intensive care unit. Student select additional  elective courses to span this 65 week period.

Course Faculty Department(s)
Emergency Medicine Acting Internship and Pediatric Emergency Medicine Acting Internship  Russell Jones, M.D. (Co-Course Director) Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine Acting Internship and Pediatric Emergency Medicine Acting Internship  Leland Bourdon, M.D. (Co-Course Director) Emergency Medicine
Cardiology Intensive Care Unit Acting Internship Surabhi Atreja, M.D. Internal Medicine
Medicine Intensive Care Unit Acting Internship Bradley Sanville, M.D. Internal medicine
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Acting Internship Kara Kuhn-Riordan, M.D. Pediatrics
Neurology Intensive Care Unit Acting Internship Lara Zimmermann, M.D. Neurosurgery
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Acting Internship Jessica Signoff, M.D. Pediatrics
Trauma Intensive Care Unit Acting Internship Christine Cocanour, M.D. Surgery
Neurology Advanced Clinical Clerkship Norika Malhaldo-Chang, M.D. Neurology
Course Director for Transition to Residency Lauren Damon, M.D. Internal Medicine
Course Director for Transition to Residency Maisa Siddique, M.D. Emergency Medicine