Education at OHSU

About the Educators' Collaborative

Guiding principles

Our Vision

The Educators' Collaborative endeavors to be a place of belonging for all OHSU educators to engage in theoretical discussion and research-based inquiry to develop ideas and practices in health science education. The EC envisions a future as a nationally recognized, cross-disciplinary academic collaborative, integral to the continued improvement of learner outcomes across the institution.

Our Mission

The EC advances and elevates OHSU's education mission by facilitating collaboration, showcasing innovations, and promoting professional development.

To accomplish our mission, the EC is guided by the following tenets:

  • Education is a critical mission for Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU).
  • Education encompasses direct teaching, curriculum and session design, learner assessment, program evaluation, mentorship and advising, as well as scholarship, service and innovation.
  • Engaged, committed, and skilled educators enhance the experience and outcomes of our learners.
  • Given the opportunity and resources, every individual can refine their skills as an educator.
  • Similar to clinicians and researchers, educators need a well-defined home base or community.

Membership

All OHSU community (faculty, staff, students and other trainees) and those who work closely with the OHSU education mission in the community at large are welcome to join the EC.

The EC functions as a community of practice: a group of people with shared interests, skills, and concerns, who come together to fulfill both individual and group goals.

EC members and the EC advisory group determine the activities and priorities of the EC.

Anyone can register as a member. Registration is open year-round on a rolling basis. Current EC members are encouraged to update their profiles regularly.

Oversight

The Educators’ Collaborative Advisory Group is charged with overseeing the EC. 

Responsibilities of the advisory group include:

  • Ensuring that EC activities are in line with guiding principles and serving member needs.
  • Providing oversight of membership development and diversity.
  • Developing and facilitating EC-sponsored programming.
  • Attending monthly hour-long meetings and two strategic planning sessions throughout the year.
  • Identifying and working in partnership with other programs and groups with similar goals and interests.
  • Engaging in EC program assessment.

Advisory Group Elections

The structure of the advisory group provides leadership opportunities for Educators’ Collaborative (EC) members.

Nominations for advisory group positions are solicited and reviewed by the Advisory Group. The AG solicits nominations, mindful of the involvement of the many academic units included and of the diversity of the membership we serve and hope to create. The AG creates and distributes the ballot. EC members vote on the panel. Selections for each role will happen in June at the end of an academic year, for a term beginning September 1. 

The Advisory Group Chair will first serve as the Chair-Elect. Any member of the Educators’ Collaborative is eligible to be nominated for/run for the position of Chair-Elect. If a given election cycle does not result in any nominations for the Chair-Elect position, then the Chair-Elect will be recruited and appointed by the Advisory Group.

Additionally, the SEE Chair-Elect and the Communications Coordinator will be appointed by the Advisory Group. In the absence of having a serving SEE Chair-Elect, or if the SEE Chair-Elect is unable to assume the role of SEE Chair, then the Advisory Group will appoint someone directly to the position of SEE Chair.

All other positions on the advisory group will be elected by and from the EC membership. Self-nominations are encouraged.

Advisory group

Responsibilities

  • Formalize the agenda for and run the monthly meetings of the advisory group.
  • Hold primary responsibility for overseeing that overall EC activities are moving forward and future directions being developed.
  • Serve as EC point person for liaison with other organizations or stakeholders wishing to coordinate with or interact with the EC.
  • Support and advance leadership development of other AG members.

Other details

  • This is the second year of a three-year commitment
  • Have previously served as “chair-elect”
  • Becomes past-chair after term ends

Term length: One year

Current chair: Robin Stiller

Responsibilities

  • Primary responsibility will be to assist the current chair in their duties.
  • Special focus on growth of future EC directions and projects.
  • Will serve as a helping hand to any of the other leadership roles as needed. 

Other details

  • This is the first year of a three-year commitment
  • This position is allowed to hold another AG position concurrently
  • Becomes Advisory Group Chair after term ends

Term length: One year

Current chair-elect: None

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate Education Grand Rounds.
  • Support the current chair as needed. 

Other details

  • This is the third year of a three-year commitment
  • Have previously served as Advisory Group Chair
  • Has option to serve as ex-officio after term ends

Term length: One year

Current past-chair: Jessica Walter

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate the general work of the group by taking notes during monthly meetings, sending out meeting minutes and tasks, and keeping the AG Teams channels current.

Term length: Two years

Current Secretary: Heather Hawk

Responsibilities

  • Primary responsibilities will be to help recruit new members, track recruitment patterns, and co-manage membership database with assigned administrative staff.
  • Chair the nominations committee for the yearly election of new advisory group members. 

Term length: Two years

Current Membership Coordinator: Jeffrey Jones

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with other EC AG members to help market and track the success of pods.
  • Liaise with prospective and current seed leaders to support idea development, structure, Teams set up, recruitment.
  • Manage Teams Channels for Pods and Seeds.

Term length: Two years

Current Pod Coordinator: None

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the primary communication bridge between the Advisory group and current/prospective Educators’ Collaborative members.
  • Participate in EC AG initiatives. 

Other details

  • Is ideally someone with a centrally located position at OHSU, who has connections with entities across the institution.
  • Can serve for an indefinite period, as this position is not an elected position and does not have a term limit. 

Term length: N/A

Current Communications Coordinator: Devon Ritter

Responsibilities

  • Keep EC AG current on status of SEE
  • Advertise and highlight SEE
  • Request annual budget for SEE from Provost Office and SOM 

Other details

  • Have served as SEE Chair-Elect in prior year.

Term length: This is a one-year commitment (with the option for renewal)

Current SEE Chair: Pam Meyers

Responsibilities

  • Assist SEE chair in planning, administering, and facilitating the SEE.
  • Special focus on future growth and development of SEE. 

Term length: One year

Current SEE Chair-Elect: None

Responsibilities

  • Provide representation to, and voice for, otherwise un/under represented schools, departments, or divisions at OHSU.
  • Serve as a helping hand to any of the other leadership roles as needed. 

Term length: Two years

Current Members at Large: Cristian Mendoza Ruvalcaba, and Kristin Whitman. One position currently vacant.

Responsibilities

  • Represent student, resident, fellow or postdoc constituencies and provide the trainee perspective at the advisory group meetings.

Requirements

  • Current student, resident, fellow or postdoc.

Term length: Two years

Current Learner at Large: Ravneet Waraich. One position currently vacant.

Responsibilities

  • Act to support more junior members in their leadership roles and help members navigate the educational landscape of the institution.

Requirements

  • Prior advisory group member whose presence on the leadership team is deemed invaluable to the group’s institutional memory, effectiveness and happiness.

Current Ex Officio member(s): None