At Indiana University School of Medicine, the Medical Education scholarly concentration equips medical students with foundational health science pedagogical methods to transform them into highly effective clinical educators and academic physicians. Whether guiding future medical trainees or educating patients in practice, this concentration prepares students to master the art and science of teaching.
Fast facts about the concentration
- Location: Bloomington campus
- Co-directors: Valerie D. O'Loughlin, PhD; Polly R. Husmann, PhD; David L. Rodgers, EdD, NRP, FAHA, FSSH; and Charles N. Rudick, PhD
Meet the co-directors
The Medical Education scholarly concentration is co-directed by Valerie D. O'Loughlin, PhD, Polly R. Husmann, PhD, David L. Rodgers, EdD, NRP, FAHA, FSSH, and Charles N. Rudick, PhD.
O'Loughlin is a professor of anatomy, cell biology and physiology who co-directs the Anatomy and Physiology Education PhD program. She has presented and published in medical and anatomy education research and teaches one of the concentration's core courses. "We love seeing medical students develop an interest in educational research and starting them on the path to becoming academic physicians," said O'Loughlin.
Rodgers is a faculty member in the Department of Medicine and director of the Interprofessional Simulation Center, bringing extensive research expertise in simulation-based learning and clinical instruction methods. "Having exemplary educational skills will be of immense value as physicians work with their patients, train those who come after them, and analyze the effectiveness of their teaching," said Rodgers.
Husmann is an associate professor of anatomy, cell biology and physiology who co-directs the Anatomy and Physiology Education PhD program.
Rudick is the assistant director of medical education at IU School of Medicine—Bloomington and assistant dean for the Phase 1 curriculum.
What students can expect
Based on the collaborative IU School of Medicine—Bloomington campus, students benefit from a thriving culture around the scholarship of teaching and learning. Students are empowered to design and execute their own independent educational research projects rather than joining existing faculty projects. Key program details include:
- Mentorship: Students are strongly encouraged to interact with IU School of Medicine—Bloomington faculty during their first semester to identify mentors prior to applying.
- Research Timeline: Many students begin their independent medical education research during the summer following their first year through the Indiana Medical Student Program for Research and Scholarship (IMPRS).
- Coursework: Students complete MSCI-M620: Pedagogical Methods in the Health Sciences during the spring semester (January–April), requiring on-campus participation in Bloomington through April.
Is this the right fit?
Every physician acts as an educator — whether teaching residents during rounds or explaining complex conditions to patients. This concentration is ideal for students seeking to refine their communication skills, as well as those pursuing careers in academic medicine who want a strong foundation in educational research and curriculum design.
Examples of student research
Students in the Medical Education concentration conduct and publish impactful research that advances health professions education. Published examples include:
Bohrer MB, Rodgers DL. “Improving confidence in performing clinical procedures through peer-driven training sessions for preclinical medical students.” MedEdPORTAL. 2025;21:11542. doi: 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11542.
Rodgers DL, Bohrer MB, Morales AA, Needler MA, VandeKoppel P. “Using Bibliometric Analysis to Map the Impact of a Simulation Program’s Published Scholarly Works.” Simulation in Healthcare. 2024;19(3):179-187. doi: 10.1097/SIH.0000000000000779.
Kerns E, Husmann PR. “Celiac Disease in Medical Education: A Pilot Study Comparing Institutional and Commercial Curricula.” Med Sci Educ. 2025;35(3):1209-1214. doi: 10.1007/s40670-025-02346-3.
