Non-VCU guests please register here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-health-sciences-education-symposium-tickets-769234630487

See full agenda here.

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Health Sciences Education Symposium Exploring Innovations in Health Sciences Education: Bridging Research and Practice. This immersive day-long event will showcase educational research and initiatives from the entire MCV campus.

Join fellow educators, leaders, and learners to engage with effective pedagogical strategies, interprofessional educational initiatives, and evidence-based practices that support health professions education.

Program Goals:

• Share health science educational innovations and scholarship occurring at VCU.
• Provide a forum for presentation, discussion, and feedback for scholarly work to advance new and ongoing research in pedagogical strategies, interprofessional collaboration in teaching, learner support, and evidence-based practices in health sciences education.
• Network with students, faculty, and staff interested in optimizing the professional school experience through high quality education and holistic approaches to learning.

Pre-Symposium Workshop: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.; MMEC 3-101 (register here)

Welcome/Opening Remarks: 11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.; MMEC 8-200A/8-205B 

Keynote: 11:15 a .m. - 12:15 p.m.; MMEC 8-200A/8-205B and Zoom**

Training the Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals with AI and XR

Join Dr. Dayanjan Wijesinghe, a pioneer in AI and XR in healthcare education, as he unveils the future of healthcare training. In his keynote, Dr. Wijesinghe will discuss the integration of extended reality (XR) and AI-driven patient simulations and language translations in healthcare education. These technologies are helping to create realistic patient interactions and thus provide patient focused training at a scale that is previously unattainable. These innovations not only transcend language barriers but also democratize access to high-quality health sciences education worldwide.

We'll delve into how these tools are revolutionizing clinical communication skills training, offering students unique opportunities for immersive learning. Through interactive tools, students can engage in meaningful dialogues, receive tailored feedback, and partake in AI-enhanced study sessions. This approach marks a significant shift in healthcare training, nurturing a new generation of professionals equipped with authentic language skills, increased practice opportunities, and a comprehensive learning experience.

**Please note: Virtual option only applies to the Keynote presentation at 11:00 a.m. The Oral, Spark and Poster Sessions are in person.**

Networking Lunch: 12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.; MMEC 3-101 (AI in MedEd) and MMEC 5-101 (Serving Today's Students)

Concurrent Sessions: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.; MMEC 8-200A & MMEC 8-205B

Break: 2:30 - 2:45 

Spark Sessons: 2:45 - 3:30 p.m.; MMEC 8-200A & MMEC 8-205B

Poster Reception: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.; MMEC Lobby; catered by Autumn's Catering and Cafe