President's Welcome

Adapted From Past President Bruce Morgenstern, MD (President 2002-2004)

Welcome to the COMSEP web site! Let me tell you a little about who we are, and why those of us who are members feel such a strong allegiance and deep devotion to the group. COMSEP is the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics. Simply put, it is the organization of Pediatric clerkship directors at medical schools in North America. Since its inception in 1992, it has been working to improve all aspects of undergraduate medical education for students, while simultaneously striving to help clerkship directors find professional satisfaction and career development.

The best thing about COMSEP is its membership. It is composed of a group of people who are passionate about teaching medical students, teaching them well, and proving they did it. The work of COMSEP comes largely from its task forces (see the link above) and from volunteers who take on tasks and quickly enlist the support of others.

A Special Message from our Friend, Steven Z. Miller, President (2004)

(Web editor's note – this column is adapted from the Summer 2004 issue of the Pediatric Educator. It describes an ambitious agenda for Dr. Miller's Presidency, unfortunately cut short by the tragedy. Please see http://www.comsep.org/PresidentLoss/ for a tribute to Steve and our other friend and Past President Richard Sarkin.)

It has been 4 months since we were all together in Florida – and I miss you all – a lot. COMSEP is special for the great work that gets done by the vibrant membership and for the great attachments and friendships we make with each other. (Kumbaya)

I'm happy to say that COMSEP has been extremely busy and productive these past four months. We have committed ourselves to three things. These are:

• Making pediatric medical student education an outstanding experience for every student in the country – and thereby improving the care of children and families
• Creating new collaborations between those who teach students, resident, fellows and faculty.

• Inspiring and supporting the personal and professional growth of each and every member of COMSEP.

I'd like to ask that you make note of the following things that are going on to support these efforts.

1. We are designing a survey of COMSEP members, designed to define who we are, what we believe is critical to outstanding medical student education and most importantly, to define the value of COMSEP to promoting education and educators. I believe it is everyone's responsibility to fill out this survey carefully, if we are to meet our goals.
2. The Curriculum and Evaluation Task Forces have been working to create a core competency document and begin to develop evaluation methods to match. This will be a unique contribution to the field of clinical teaching.
3. The Learning Technology Task Force has been working to revitalize our web site and create more dynamic dialogue among all of us. This will be a great opportunity for scholarship for our members as well.
4. The Faculty Development Task Force has been working to solidify our mentoring program. They have also reached out to the APA Faculty Development Special Interest Group for collaboration.

I have asked the new members to form a COMSEP Young Executive Group. Bill Wilson will be helping coordinate the new members by working with Aleca Clark.

Finally, the planning for the meeting in April 2005 has been exploding with creativity. There is no doubt that we will be better teachers after those fateful four days. We will be exploring ways to expand our imaginations and creativity to enhance our work with students. The sky is the limit on this. Mike Lawless describes this further in this issue.

So, I hope you enjoy this issue (including the Journal Review) as a way of touching base about our continued hard work. And so – everyone – hold hands and sing "Kumbaya."