This position reports directly to the Vice Dean for Medical Education and serves as the primary coordinator for a comprehensive medical education program renewal initiative within the WR2 University Program. The Director for WR2 MD Program Renewal will lead the strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation of program transformation, with particular emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence into the curriculum, creating robust early longitudinal clinical experiences, expanding innovative pedagogical approaches that promote engaged and reflective learning, supporting competency-based medical education, consideration of an accelerated educational track, and ensuring seamless coordination across all phases of medical education.
This role requires change leadership expertise, including exceptional organizational and management skills, with a strong ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders. The Director will work collaboratively with the Associate Dean for Curriculum, the Associate Dean for Accreditation, CQI, and Educational Analytics, the Associate Dean for Program Innovation and Educational Enhancements, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the Assistant Deans for Basic Science, Longitudinal Clinical Education, and Clinical/Clerkship Education, the Executive Director of Curricular Affairs, and faculty leadership across departments to ensure successful MD program renewal that maintains LCME accreditation standards while advancing educational innovation.
As a key member of the medical education leadership team, this position will support the School of Medicine's Strategic Plan and work closely with the Vice Dean for Medical Education to maximize resource utilization and ensure alignment with institutional priorities.
Essential Functions:
Leadership of WR2 MD Program Renewal Initiative:
- Serve as the primary project leader for all program renewal activities, developing comprehensive implementation timelines, milestones, and accountability structures
- Coordinate program renewal working groups and task forces, ensuring representation from all relevant stakeholders including faculty, students, clinical partners, and administrative leadership
- Facilitate regular communication about program renewal progress to all stakeholders through multiple channels, including participation in relevant curricular committees
- Lead the integration of artificial intelligence tools and technologies into the curriculum, working with faculty to identify appropriate applications and implementation strategies
- Champion discovery-based pedagogy, active learning, team-based learning, reflective practice, and the appropriate use of simulation and technology-enhanced education to optimize student learning
- Build and maintain strong relationships with teaching faculty across the four-year curriculum and mentor individual faculty leaders to build consensus and ensure support for curriculum changes
- Facilitate town halls, focus groups, and feedback sessions with students, faculty, and staff to gather input, address concerns, and share updates
- Create communication materials and presentations to articulate the vision, rationale, and benefits of program renewal
- Identify faculty development needs related to program renewal and coordinate with the Vice Dean for Medical Education to design and deliver appropriate training programs
- Support faculty in adapting teaching methods and content to align with renewed curriculum goals; Recognize and celebrate faculty contributions to program renewal efforts
Curriculum Design and Implementation:
- Work with the Associate Dean for Curriculum and Assistant Deans to redesign curricular structure, sequencing, and integration across all phases of medical education; Ensure horizontal and vertical integration of content, eliminating redundancies and identifying gaps
- Coordinate the development of new courses, blocks, or modules as required by the renewed curriculum while aligning the curriculum with a competency framework and ensure mapping to program objectives
- Collaborate with the Office of Student Assessment to design assessment strategies that align with renewed curriculum goals; Ensure that assessment methods support student learning and provide meaningful feedback
- Ensure all program renewal activities maintain compliance with LCME accreditation standards: Coordinate with the Associate Dean for Curriculum and the Associate Dean for Accreditation on documentation and reporting details of updated curriculum
- Support communication strategy with LCME related to curriculum changes
Collaboration and Coordination:
- Work closely with all stakeholders, including the Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs at the Lerner College Program to ensure alignment of curriculum renewal
- Partner with the Executive Director of Curricular Affairs on operational and logistical aspects of curriculum implementation
- Document efforts to coordinate with the Lerner College Program to ensure alignment and comparability between the two curricular programs
- Build relationships with clinical education sites to support implementation of program renewal in clinical settings; Engage with community partners, patients, and other stakeholders as appropriate to support program renewal goals
- Represent the School of Medicine at regional and national meetings related to curriculum innovation; Seek opportunities for collaboration and shared learning with other medical schools undertaking curriculum renewal
Resource Management and Sustainability:
- Identify opportunities for external funding to support program renewal activities
- Explore cost-effective strategies for implementing curriculum changes
- Ensure efficient use of faculty time, physical space, and educational technologies
- Maintain comprehensive documentation of program renewal processes, decisions, and outcomes
- Prepare regular progress reports for the Associate Dean for Curriculum and Vice Dean for Medical Education; Contribute to annual curriculum reports and accreditation documentation
Required Skills:
The Director for WR2 MD Program Renewal should possess exceptional leadership and project management skills, including:
- Advanced change leadership capabilities with demonstrated success in leading large-scale organizational transformation initiatives
- Expert project management skills including the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, develop realistic timelines, and ensure accountability
- Strategic thinking and planning abilities to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and develop comprehensive implementation strategies
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences and tailor messages appropriately
- Consensus-building expertise with proven ability to navigate competing priorities and build agreement among stakeholders with varied perspectives
- High degree of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to build trust, manage conflict, and motivate others
- Data-driven decision-making with ability to collect, analyze, and use data to inform curriculum renewal strategies
- Deep knowledge of medical education including curriculum design principles, pedagogical methods, assessment strategies, and accreditation standards
- Understanding of educational innovation including emerging technologies, AI applications in education, and evidence-based teaching practices
- Flexibility and adaptability with willingness to adjust plans based on feedback and changing circumstances
- Collaborative mindset with ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries and build strong partnerships
Working Conditions:
The Director for WR2 MD Program Renewal will be expected to work regularly in the medical school environment at the Health Education Campus and engage with faculty, students, and leadership in both the WR2 University Program and the Lerner College Program.
This position requires flexibility in scheduling, as program renewal activities may require meetings, workshops, and events outside of traditional business hours. Some travel may be required for site visits to clinical education locations, professional development, or representation at national meetings.
This position will provide at a minimum 0.4 FTE support from the Office of the Vice Dean for Medical Education, with additional FTE support negotiable based on candidate qualifications and departmental affiliation. Administrative support will be provided.
Term: This position is a term appointment for 4 years, with an option for renewal.
The annual starting base salary range for this position is from $80-120,000. CWRU considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, and paid time off.
Required:
- PhD, MD, EdD, or equivalent terminal degree
- Eligibility for faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level or higher at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- Minimum of five years of experience in medical education with demonstrated progressive leadership responsibility
- Significant experience with curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation in medical education
- Proven track record of successfully leading complex change initiatives or major projects
- Strong understanding of LCME accreditation standards and requirements
Preferred:
- Experience with curriculum renewal or transformation initiatives in medical education
- Familiarity with competency-based medical education and entrustable professional activities (EPAs)
- Knowledge of artificial intelligence applications in medical education
- Experience with integrated curriculum models
- Scholarship in medical education as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and presentations