Education Week 2025 features presentations from outstanding trainees, workshops and lectures from experts on all aspects of education and opportunities to recognize the best educators at MD Anderson.
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An editor-led writing coaching program to support early-career biomedical researchers
Amy Ninetto and Ashli Villarreal
With the Research Medical Library’s launch of a scientific writing coaching program, we hope to help MD Anderson’s researchers communicate their important work to the wider cancer care community. Our goal is to help our junior faculty, clinical fellows, postdocs, and clinical and research staff members gain the skills and confidence they need to navigate the ever-changing world of academic publishing so that they can build their independent research programs and publish their findings in high-impact journals. We aim to contribute both to MD Anderson’s reputation for research excellence and to make it an even more attractive place to pursue oncology education.
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Comparative Analysis of Large Language Models’ Performance on a Practice Radiography Certification Examination
Kevin R. Clark
This study highlights the educational value of large language models (LLMs) in radiography training by evaluating their accuracy on a practice certification exam. By identifying strengths and weaknesses in LLM-generated responses, educators and students can better understand their potential as study tools while recognizing the importance of critical evaluation. The findings emphasize the need for verification when using AI for exam preparation, reinforcing responsible AI integration in radiologic science education.
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Conquering the Occurrence of Falls in Ambulatory Setting
Jamie Orozco, Kathleen Bugarin, Lourdes Lujan, Wendy Butler, Laura Valdez, and Dave Calubaquib
The poster highlights the significant value and impact of the educational and training initiatives implemented as part of a fall prevention program at the MD Anderson Woodlands location. A core component of this initiative was comprehensive staff training for Patient Ambassadors, which equipped them with the knowledge to educate patients about fall risks and prevention measures. This training played a crucial role in reducing fall incidents by nearly 30%, directly contributing to improved patient safety and well-being. In addition to staff and patient education, the program incorporated technological tools such as EPIC (MyChart) to send appointment reminders that included essential information about assistive devices, further supporting fall prevention efforts. The coordination of Patient Transport services was another vital aspect, ensuring that patients were safely moved within the facility and reducing the risk of falls. The educational efforts were complemented by environmental modifications and regular communication and feedback to staff and stakeholders, ensuring the fall prevention strategies were continuously monitored and refined. These combined educational and preventive measures not only led to a 30% reduction in fall occurrences but also resulted in significant financial savings by reducing the costs associated with fall-related incidents, which typically range from $3,000 to $5,000 per event. Additionally, the initiative enhanced operational efficiency, reduced strain on emergency medical services, and contributed to overall business growth. By fostering a culture of safety and emphasizing the importance of education and training, the program demonstrated how these components can lead to substantial improvements in healthcare outcomes.
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Correlating Sterile Outcomes with Quality Audits and Pharmacy Education
Nephy George PharmD; Bonnie Butler; Diane Hecht; and Tiffany Kofroth CPhT-Adv, CSPT, PhTR
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Development Learning Modules
Jackie Altamirano, Patrick R. Villarin, Steven Cuevas, and Mohammad Mohammad
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Elevate Learning: Unlocking the Full Power of Visual Design
Jasmin Berrios; Ope Akinbiyi; Annie Hwang; and James Cavalier, Jr.
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Enhancing Primary Care Utilization Among Cancer Survivors Treated at a Large, Academic Cancer Center: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Myron Morrison, Giordana De Las Pozas, Kelly Merriman, Whittney Thoman, Angela Peek, Johnny Rollins, Weiqi Bi, Katherine Gilmore, and Michael Roth
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Enhancing Student Learning Through Hands-On Clinical Research
Nyela Y. Lopez, Steven Luong, Tien T. Dao, Christian Pellegrini, Peter Hu PhD, Jun Zou, and Vibhuti Srivastava
Our poster topic emphasizes the integration of student research assistants from the Allied Health Molecular Genetics program into clinical research projects. This initiative provides substantial educational value by offering students practical experience and insights that enhance their academic journey. Through hands-on involvement in clinical studies, students gain essential skills for healthcare and research careers, including genetic research methodologies and data analysis. This experience fosters a collaborative learning environment that bridges theory and practice, supporting professional development through mentorship and collaborations. Value and Impact: The involvement of student research assistants in clinical research projects contributes significantly to the advancement of clinical studies. By participating in real-world research, students not only enhance their academic knowledge but also contribute valuable data and insights to ongoing projects. This dual benefit underscores the importance of integrating educational programs with clinical research, ultimately leading to improved healthcare outcomes and innovative solutions in diagnostic genetics. Alignment with MD Anderson's Core Values: This initiative aligns seamlessly with MD Anderson's core values of Caring, Integrity, and Discovery. By fostering a collaborative learning environment, we promote the discovery of new knowledge and innovative research methodologies. The mentorship and professional development opportunities provided to students reflect our commitment to integrity and excellence in education and research. Additionally, the support and guidance offered to students by experienced researchers and clinicians embody our dedication to caring for and nurturing future healthcare professionals and researchers.
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IDEAS Lab Internship: Biodesigning the Next Generation of Biomedical Engineers
John Tran, Savannah Morreale, and Justin Bird
Our internship program is designed to educate and train biomedical engineering students in the process of medical device research and development. The students learn the biodesign process as established by Stanford Biodesign and apply the lessons learned immediately to the projects that they work on. These projects are within the Division of Surgery's IDEAS Lab portfolio which consists of novel medical devices designed to improve patient outcomes. Working on these projects and applying the skills that they have learned allows them to applied experience of our education program. More importantly, the students are embedded into the clinical setting to observe patient interactions, surgery, and recovery. This allows the students to leave the internship and be competitive candidates in both industry and academia because of the unique experience they've gained from working on medical technology R&D at a prominent cancer hospital and the patient interactions they observe. Our students who have gone through the internship program have continued onto these various roles, using their experience as engineers in industry, scientists in academia, and physician trainees in medicine.
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Illustrating Reach of Library Services
Laurissa Gann; Yimin Geng MSIS, MS; Rachel Hicklen; Tracy Stafford; Kelsey Hensler; and Clara Fowler
The Research Medical Library's (RML) literature search and editing services are unique and provide quantifiable evidence of an information product that supports the institution’s mission. Librarians and editors collaborate with clinicians, researchers, and educators in various fields increase the dissemination and reach of the research. RML’s publication dashboard highlights library service activities and measures research outcomes. The RML uses this data to identify services patterns and trends and make data-driven decisions. "Library Dashboard." from https://mdanderson.libguides.com/librarydashboard
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Improving Patient Safety: Reducing ID Wristband Events via Standardized Education
Karen Lopez, Shante Vandible, Crystal T. Scott-Owolabi, Rachel Natter, and Mary Frances McAleer
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Minimize Waste, Maximize Resources: Quality improvement initiative on reducing insulin waste via inpatient vial relabeling program by diabetes management team
Tina Wynn; Cheryl Hughes; and Denise A. Palma MS, MBA, RD, LD, BC-ADM, CDCES
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Preceptor Training to Guide Pharmacy Residents on Educational Best Practices for Activity Development
Marisa Mendoza PharmD, CHCP, CPHQ; Amber Rexwinkle; Bonnie Butler; and Diane Hecht
