Whiddon College of Medicine showcases innovation at the 2024 Assessment Institute

Melisa H. Pierce, Ed.D., MPA, showcased the

LCME Heat Map.

The Whiddon College of Medicine demonstrated its commitment to quality improvement, institutional success, and student development at the 2024 Assessment Institute in Indianapolis, the nation’s premier event for advancing assessment and improvement in higher education. 

By sharing innovative strategies and tools, the team highlighted how data-driven practices and collaboration are transforming medical education. Their presentations demonstrated impactful initiatives driving institutional and student success. 

Melisa H. Pierce, Ed.D., MPA, director of quality improvement in the Office of Accreditation and Planning (OAP), showcased the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) Heat Map, a centralized tool designed to streamline accreditation processes with embedded data insights and proactive stakeholder engagement. 

Julie Estis, Ph.D., and David S. Williams,

Ph.D., MPA, presented on ePortfolios.

Julie M. Estis, Ph.D., executive director of academic enhancement at USA and an associate professor of speech-language pathology, and David S. Williams, Ph.D., MPA, assistant dean for institutional and academic success in the OAP, facilitated a workshop titled “LevelUP Student Learning and Success with ePortfolios: Making the Most of What You Have.” They highlighted strategies for integrating ePortfolios as a high-impact practice to enhance academic and co-curricular learning, illustrating the Whiddon College of Medicine’s participation in the institution-wide quality enhancement plan.  

Williams, Estis, and Cecelia Martin, Ed.D., associate vice president of planning and effectiveness at Clark College, facilitated a workshop titled “Lost in Learning Assessment Lingo? Let’s Talk Strategies for Promoting Learning Improvement through Shared Understanding.” Based on a two-year research project focused on overcoming barriers to learning assessment communication and employing strategies to improve effective assessment collaboration, their session emphasized the value of interdisciplinary partnerships to advance shared goals. 

“These efforts exemplify the Whiddon College of Medicine’s role as a national leader in advancing continuous improvement through creative solutions and collaborating with valuable partners across the University of South Alabama,” Pierce said. “By integrating tools like the LCME Heat Map and applying strategies to enhance learning outcomes, we continue to drive institutional effectiveness and foster sustainable initiatives that align with our mission.” 

The Assessment Institute, as the nation’s oldest and largest event of its kind, provides a unique opportunity for professionals to share knowledge, collaborate, and contribute to the evolution of higher education practices. 

“The Whiddon College of Medicine’s participation underscores our dedication to making a meaningful impact, both within our institution and across the broader academic community, as we leverage data, expertise, and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance education and improve outcomes,” Pierce said.