About a decade ago, I took a leap of faith by leaving Johns Hopkins Medical School to start Osmosis, a platform aimed at transforming medical education. Fast forward to today, I find myself back at Hopkins, not only as a student but as someone who has seen firsthand the impact great educators can have on both students and the broader healthcare ecosystem. In a recent talk, I had the privilege to discuss the qualities that make educators truly effective, especially in high-stakes fields like medicine. These insights are not just academic; they’re personal and drawn from real-life experiences and educators who have made a lasting impact.
TEACH: A Framework for Effective Education
I’ve noticed that outstanding educators who leave a mark often share a set of core qualities captured in the acronym TEACH: Trust, Embody, Advance, Care, and Humility. Here are a few examples of how I have seen these play out:
Trust
The foundation of any effective educational relationship is trust. Creating a supportive environment where students feel safe and valued is a must. I’ve seen this with educators like Dr. Gabre-Kidan, who ensures that her surgery clerkship at Hopkins is welcoming and free from harassment, turning high-pressure situations into opportunities for growth and learning.
Embody
Great educators lead by example. They aren’t just knowledgeable; they inspire by living the principles they teach. Dr. Catherine D. DeAngelis and Dr. Patrick Welsh are great examples of these principles, demonstrating dedication and integrity that goes beyond professional achievements, influencing students to aspire not just to be skilled but also well-rounded and ethical individuals.
Advance
A key role of an educator is to help students realize their potential, not just academically but also in their personal and professional lives. Dr. Daniele Rigamontii, who encouraged me to pursue founding Osmosis by notably reminding me that all careers are a zigzag process, exemplifies this by supporting students’ broader goals and understanding that education is about fostering growth in multiple dimensions and is not always a linear process.
Care
Enthusiasm is contagious. Educators like Dr. Khalil Ghanem (Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins) and Dr. Manny Monroy Trujillo (Nephrology, Johns Hopkins), who passionately engage with their subjects, inevitably inspire a similar fervor in students. This passion is critical in fields like medicine, where the excitement and engagement of an educator can influence the attitudes and competencies of future healthcare providers.
Humility
The best educators are perpetual students, always willing to learn, ask questions, and admit when they don’t have all the answers. This humility fosters a learning culture that values curiosity and continuous improvement, vital not only in medicine but in all aspects of life, where discoveries and technologies constantly reshape professional landscapes.
Why These Qualities Matter
Through my journey in the worlds of technology and medicine, I’ve seen how the TEACH principles not only enhance educational outcomes but also prepare students to handle real-world challenges. TEACH equips future professionals not just with knowledge but with the wisdom and character to use it wisely.
As I continue my medical education and balance that with my best efforts to contribute to the field, I carry these lessons with me. They remind me that our goal as educators and learners isn’t merely to pass tests or master procedures but to cultivate a community of thoughtful, compassionate, and skilled professionals who are prepared to advance not only their own careers but the health and well-being of all they serve.
Whether you’re an educator, a student, or a professional at any stage of your career, I encourage you to reflect on these qualities. How can they be integrated into your practices or discovered in the mentors you choose? The journey is long, and the challenges are significant, but with the right approach and enough perseverance, the impact can be profound.
Remember, in medicine, as in all areas of life, we teach not just through our words but through our actions. And no matter how small the world may lead you to believe your actions are, the sum of all our actions is what truly creates the reality we experience. By acknowledging that, it becomes a duty not only to impart knowledge but also to inspire change wherever we can.
Curious about Osmosis? Sign-up for a free trial.
Leave a Reply