Meeting Summary October 12, 1999

Present: Drs. Filak (chair), Lehman, Short, Weiss, DeWitt, Fenoglio-Preiser; and Ms. Kathryn Witzeman

The meeting summary from May 4, 1999 was reviewed. The proposals for Curricular Content Review and the Developmental Stage 1, Structural Framework, were subsequently discussed with Faculty Council. Faculty Council was supportive of the modified scope and process for curricular renewal.

The committee discussed the evolution of the curriculum that has occurred. The Year I Curriculum Committee has developed an integrated approach to the curriculum through the diligent work of the course directors. Total contact hours have been reduced. The Year II Curriculum Committee has also worked towards better integration of content within the discipline-based curriculum. Although there has been some reduction in hours, Year II is not as close to the maximum contact hour limitations as approved by Faculty Council as is the Year I curriculum.

The committee discussed at length the issue of content review. The following decisions were reached:

1. The initial content review areas would include:
   • Cardiovascular
   • Genetics
   • Renal/Acid Base
   • Musculoskeletal

2. The topic of cancer, although initially considered for a content review, is to be considered as part of the longitudinal curriculum process. In other words, a standing work group on cancer would be created that all content review teams would need to meet with. This would be similar to the process for Gender-specific Medicine, Nutrition, and Prevention.

3. Each content review process would include input from current course directors as well as longitudinal curriculum task forces.

4. The content review process would need appropriate staff support. It is anticipated that a full-time educational coordinator with a master's level or similar experience in education and curriculum, would need to coordinate the entire process.

Submitted by:

Andrew T. Filak, Jr., M.D.
Chair