Graduates of the 2022–2024 and 2024–2026 Longitudinal Teaching Scholars Program cohorts were recognized for their achievements during Teaching Scholars Day June 22 at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center. The two-year faculty development program is designed to help health professions educators strengthen their teaching, leadership and educational scholarship skills.
During the ceremony, participants presented educational scholarship projects they developed throughout the program. Topics ranged from admissions and curriculum evaluation to interprofessional education, empathy and poverty simulation. They also received certificates and commemorative awards celebrating their commitment to excellence in health professions education.
“The Teaching Scholars Program is about more than developing individual teaching skills,” said Tynetta Johnson, senior executive assistant of Faculty Development and Health Sciences Center Career Services. “It fosters a collaborative community of educators who are committed to improving health professions education. By bringing together faculty from across the Health Sciences Center, the program encourages innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and educational scholarship that ultimately enhances the learning experience for future healthcare professionals.”
Participants in the Scholars Program engage in interactive workshops, expert-led sessions, collaborative discussions and mentoring opportunities while exploring topics such as educational theory, curriculum design, learner assessment, clinical teaching, educational leadership and emerging technologies in education.
During the second year of the program, participants develop and complete an educational scholarship project. They work with experienced faculty mentors to refine a research question, implement their project and analyze their findings before presenting their work during Teaching Scholars Day. The experience allows participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the program while contributing to the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Health professions faculty, residents, fellows, clinical preceptors, program directors and educational leaders from all WVU Health Sciences Center schools may apply now through Sept. 7 for the 2026-2028 cohort. After applications are reviewed, participants will be selected based on their interest in advancing their teaching and educational leadership skills and their commitment to completing the two-year program.
