INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana University School of Medicine has named a new Associate Dean for Continuing Education in Healthcare Professions (CEHP).
Jennifer E. Schwartz, MD, will assume the role supporting the unit formerly referred to as Continuing Medical Education (CME), effective February 1, 2024. Schwartz, an associate professor of clinical medicine, currently also serves as the assistant dean for curriculum, director of Phase 2, as well as the interim division chief of the Division of Hematology-Oncology with the Department of Medicine.
The focus of CEHP is helping to improve interprofessional health care education and patient outcomes through strategic and innovative collaborative education. In her new role, Schwartz will work closely with CEHP leadership to promote the importance of the unit across the school, university and the larger health care community.
“Being a health care professional means committing yourself to being a lifelong learner. The role of the CEHP leader is integral in making sure these efforts are effective for our faculty, and have a positive impact on clinical competence and patient outcomes,” said Paul M. Wallach, executive associate dean for educational affairs. “Dr. Schwartz has proven to be a transformative educational leader, and I am eager to see how she applies her unique perspective and talents to further elevate the excellence of CEHP here at the School of Medicine.”
Schwartz has been a member of the IU School of Medicine faculty since 2003. She received her MD,CM from McGill University in 1997, where she also completed a residency in internal medicine, both in Montreal, Canada. She then completed her fellowship in hematology and oncology as well as a certificate in clinical research at the University of Pittsburgh.
She joined IU School of Medicine as a visiting assistant professor in 2003, later being named assistant professor of clinical medicine in 2005 and an associate professor in 2020. In addition to her role as assistant dean for curriculum, Schwartz also has served as Statewide Director of Introduction to Clinical Medicine 2 and Co-Director of the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Research Program. She has also created the Clerkship Leader Summit—the program is now in its eighth year and has enjoyed a collaboration with CEHP.
Professionally, she is a previous member-at-large of the executive committee for the Central Group on Educational Affairs (CGEA) with the Association of American Medical College (AAMC). She has also held numerous roles with the American Society of Clinical Oncology, including serving as associate editor of hematology on the digital education editorial board, a co-founder of the ASCO Medical Education Community of Practice, and question writer for the ASCO Self-Evaluation Program.
“Continuing education is crucial in helping health care professionals learn and discover new ways to improve patient care, in a rapidly-changing landscape,” said Schwartz. “During my tenure at IU School of Medicine, I have seen the importance of the work done by CEHP, and I am excited to help advance those efforts here at IU School of Medicine in this new role.”
About IU School of Medicine
IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the U.S. and is annually ranked among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers high-quality medical education, access to leading medical research and rich campus life in nine Indiana cities, including rural and urban locations consistently recognized for livability.