Collaboration will help Educate Doctors from Around the World

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Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) have signed an agreement to develop an academic partnership. Under this agreement, the two entities will engage in projects in resource limited countries, focusing on faculty development, undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education of physicians and other health professionals, as well as research in medical education. Most of FAIMER’s activity is concentrated in South Asia, Africa and Latin America.

“This is about social justice,” said Susan L. Rattner, M.D., professor of Medicine and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Jefferson Medical College. “FAIMER, much like Jefferson, is dedicated to improving health by improving medical education. This collaboration will provide Jefferson the chance to expand its educational sphere and support unmet medical education needs in developing countries.”         

The initial goal of the collaboration is to have Jefferson work with FAIMER staff and to meet and develop a relationship with the FAIMER Fellows while they are in Philadelphia. Ultimately, it is hoped that the collaboration will benefit health professions education in developing countries as well as provide opportunities for Jefferson faculty, residents and students to participate in international education and service with support from the FAIMER Fellows in their home country. FAIMER Fellows will have access to Jefferson’s extensive medical education assets. Many Fellows report a key obstacle in their continued education is access to current literature in healthcare and health education. The opportunity for Fellows to receive faculty appointments at Jefferson would allow access to Jefferson’s library of educational resources.

“We will meet colleagues from all over the world, build relationships and have a chance to learn from one another,” said Rattner. “We anticipate planting the seeds for long term relationships with some of the FAIMER Fellows and to hopefully open doors for exchange in all of our educational programs.”

FAIMER, a non-profit foundation, was established in 2000 by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. FAIMER’s mission is to improve the health of populations in resource limited countries through improvement in health professions education. FAIMER Fellowship programs will focus on educational leadership, management and educational methodologies.