Is the APGO Academic Scholars and Leaders Program right for me?
Celebrating its 20th year in January 2018, the APGO Academic Scholars and Leaders Program (ASL) is one of APGO’s four Capstone Programs, the organization’s most valued and regarded faculty development programs. The purpose of the ASL program is to improve education in obstetrics and gynecology by cultivating the skills and knowledge of ob-gyn physician faculty members to make them outstanding teachers and educational administrators.
Over the course of 15-months, program participants progress through a rigorous curriculum led by a program faculty comprised of leaders and experts in the field of ob-gyn medical education. Curriculum components include instructional/learning theory, clinical instruction, evaluation of teaching, curriculum design, and feedback on performance, among other topics and areas of study. Participants meet in person a total of four times throughout the duration of the course, as well as complete assignments on their own time. Participants also develop a project thesis which is later presented as a poster at the CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting. (See a list of past program graduates and their projects.)
While the program is intensive and requires a significant time commitment, many participants form lifelong professional and personal relationships with their fellow classmates and attribute their success in ob-gyn medical education to completion of the course. Here’s what two program graduates have to say about their experience in the APGO Academic Scholars and Leaders Program:
- The ASL program essentially jump-started the “outside my institution” portion of my career. The people I met in the program, from my co-scholars to the faculty involved, helped me get more involved in APGO. I started presenting breakout sessions with my co-scholars, and the increased participation helped me join UMEC, which was one of my goals. It is where you meet co- scholars who become colleagues, professional life-lines and most important of all, friends.There should be no on-the-fence about ASL. This is a must do for anyone thinking of investing time in APGO. It will help you get where you want to go locally, regionally and nationally. – Scott Graziano, MD, MS, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, APGO ASL Class of 2008-2009
- I really consider my ASL experience to be a highlight of my career. Not only did I learn a lot, I made wonderful friends and met collaborators and mentors. Our class still gets together at annual meetings for a reunion, and I still work with a couple of my classmates to present various topics at the Faculty Development Seminar and CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting. Anyone interested in a career in academic medicine – especially if they want to hold a leadership position – should make it a high priority. There is plenty of support along the way, and the work is manageable. – Shireen Madani Sims, MD, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, APGO ASL Class of 2010-2011
Ready to apply? We thought so! Here’s some important information and links:
- The deadline for the 2019-2020 class is now open.
- Apply online. Visit www.apgo.org for more information and to apply online.
- Print a flyer. Download an informational flyer here.