From October 27 to November 2, 2024, a delegation from Ken Walker International University (KWIU) visited Emory University School of Medicine (ESOM) in Atlanta, USA, as part of a collaborative effort under the memorandum of understanding between the two institutions.
The delegation comprised Nino Shiukashvili, Head of Quality Assurance Services, Salome Voronovi, Strategic Development and International Relations Manager, Instructor of PPS Course and Professors of KWIU Clinical Department Nino Kantaria and Nikoloz Kvachadze.
During the visit, the KWIU team met with Professor Gordon Churchward, Assistant Dean of Emory University School of Medicine, and members of the Executive Curriculum Committee, including Megan Hance, David Schulman, and Katherine Garber. Discussions centered on Emory’s medical curriculum and teaching methodologies, particularly during the preclinical stage. The Georgian delegation observed Team-Based Learning (TBL) sessions, a method KWIU plans to implement in its Faculty of Medicine. They also toured Emory’s anatomy laboratory, which features HoloLens (3D) virtual reality software, and explored other cutting-edge teaching technologies.
At Grady Memorial Hospital, the delegation participated in patient rounds with the internal medicine and nephrology teams. They attended an orientation for clinical clerkship students, gaining insights into the roles and responsibilities of students in clinical settings. The group reviewed techniques in patient history-taking, physical examinations, and the preparation and presentation of case histories.
The visit also included a comprehensive tour of Emory’s Emergency Medicine Department, where the delegation met Professor Douglas Ander, Head of the Department. They observed clinical case discussions and examined the integration of KWIU students into patient management processes during their future clerkships.
A meeting with Professor Mary Jo Lechowicz from the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology highlighted approaches to academic development for faculty teaching the Patient Physician Society (PPS) course. The team participated in a session on empathy and professionalism, engaging in meaningful discussions about these crucial aspects of medical education.
The visit concluded with a tour of Emory’s Simulation Education Center, led by its director, Gina Shannon. The KWIU delegation observed Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) preparatory sessions for first-year students, gaining valuable insights into the latest training approaches for standardized patients.
The visit in United States of America marks a significant step in strengthening the partnership between Ken Walker International University and Emory University School of Medicine, fostering the exchange of innovative educational practices and advancing the quality of medical education at KWIU.