Helping others through others’ hands

Geisinger Academy of Educators provides community for those who love to teach

Last October, educators from across the Geisinger system gathered to celebrate the launch of the Geisinger Academy of Educators, which, according to Chief Academic Officer Julie Byerley, MD, MPH, will “enhance relationships built around teaching in the complex environment of health professions education.”

For Academy Leadership Council Chair Rob Cooney, MD, MSMedEd, the evening was the realization of a long-standing “pipe dream.” “We often talk about the triple threat of an academic clinician — one who is skilled in research, patient care and teaching. But incentives really support our clinical work more than teaching. People have asked me, ‘Is this academy a club?’ and I say, ‘Not really... but kind of.’ The Academy of Educators will create a community of like-minded people who love being educators and can innovate together, learn to be better teachers, and support each other.”

All 213 members of this new community were inducted in a ceremony held during the inaugural event. Nicole Woll, PhD, MEd, vice dean of faculty development, will serve as executive director of the academy. She said the new inductees reflect the inclusivity embedded in the academy’s mission. During her remarks, she noted members come from nursing, pharmacy and research, as well as each Geisinger institute. They hold degrees ranging from BSN to PsyD, are responsible for hundreds of publications and are at varied stages of their careers.

Seated from left: April Morgan,MEd; Nicole Woll, PhD; Rob Cooney, MD. Standing from left: Halle Ellison, MD; Brytanie Marshall, MD; Kristi Shirk, Daniel Longyhore, PharmD; Thomas Davis, MD; Rebecca Hoffman, MD and Jodie Reider, MD.

The academy will create an inclusive community of health professions educators by supporting professional development, innovation and excellence in teaching and scholarship. Through the work of the academy and its committees and members, the mission will be to champion the educator role at Geisinger. The initial work has already started, with 21 founding members who have been helping to shape the mission and vision of the academy for the past year. Their insight and dedication to this new endeavor has had a tremendous impact on the success of the academy thus far.

“I was impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of everyone there,” Dr. Woll said. “There was excitement around people coming together as Geisinger educators — people dedicated to teaching those who follow them and educating in ways that prepare the future workforce.”

The academy has been several years in the making, according to April Morgan, MEd, director of continuing professional development and leadership council vice chair. She said discussions began as early as 2017. Larger institutions like Harvard and

Georgetown have academies, and Ms. Morgan said Drs. Woll and Cooney knew Geisinger would benefit from establishing one. “Then the pandemic hit and put a wrench in our discussions,” she said. Things changed when Dr. Byerley arrived. “It really gained momentum once she got here,” Ms. Morgan said. “She wanted it and gave us the support and resources necessary, and it’s finally happened.”

Geisinger Chief Academic Officer Julie Byerley, MD, MPH speaks at the launch of the Geisinger Academy of Educators on October 12.

For her part, Dr. Byerley said she understands the importance of recognizing people who dedicate themselves to teaching. “It’s inspiring to be around them,” she said. “They’re helping others through others’ hands — meaning their work has a ripple effect and its rewards are sometimes a generation removed. It’s a pay-it-forward act. The academy will support that.”

The event’s keynote speaker was Ming-Jung Ho, MD, DPhil, associate director for the Center for Innovation and Leadership Education and the Director of Georgetown University’ Medical Center’s Teaching Academy for the Health Sciences.