"Anyone with a responsibility for educating students, residents, and physicians should be skilled and well informed about medical education -- as preparing these learners to provide safe, humane, and effective care for the members of our society is a heavy responsibility ...."

Howard S. Barrows, MD in forward to "Teaching and Learning in Medical and Surgical Education: Lessons Learned for the 21st Century"

LECOM's first Master of Science in Medical Education class

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine has established a Master Degree program designed for physician and clinical educators. The Master of Science in Medical Education courses impart the knowledge, skills and attitudes incumbent in effective teaching, administration, and leadership to students who desire advanced training in medical education. The MS in Medical Education program is open to D.O.s, Pharm.D.s and M.D.s.

LECOM Campus Program
Initially, the College opened this program to LECOM faculty, Millcreek Community Hospital interns and residents, and Millcreek Community Hospital teaching physicians. LECOM has invited teaching physicians, and residents from local LECOMT members St. Vincent Health Center, Meadville Medical Center, UHHS-Richmond Heights Hospital and Hamot Medical Center to participate. LECOM will extend the program to faculty, interns and residents at Lake Erie Consortium for Osteopathic Medical Training affilate hospitals. Using distance learning, the program will be available nationally to faculty and residents from osteopathic and allopathic teaching programs in January 2008.

Distance Learning Program
LECOM inaugurates a distance learning program for the MS in Medical Education that will allow physicians and health care professionals from anywhere in the country to attend. Using innovative distance learning tools such as podcasts, electronic bulletin boards and chat rooms, LECOM faculty deliver course work to the students home or office. Distance learning students will meet at least once during the two year program at the Erie or Bradenton campus.

Opportunities for LECOM Affiliated Teaching Hospitals
The MS in Medical Education program is an attractive educational opportunity for faculty and residents of LECOM affiliated teaching hospitals. LECOM waives tuition for residents at Millcreek Community Hospital and offers reduced tuition for teaching faculty and residents at Lake Erie Consortium for Osteopathic Medical Training (OPTI) member hospitals.

Accreditation
LECOM received provisional approval for the Master of Science in Medical Education program from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Education on July 27, 2005. The College will report progress on this program at the end of each of the first three years of instruction.