Pelvic-Urological Anatomy Curriculum

Shivani Gaitonde, M.D.

Distinction in Medical Education

I first got involved with tutoring and teaching activities in high school and college, coaching peers through psychology and science courses. Not only did I get to learn the material better myself by having to teach it, but I really felt like I was making an impact on others. Watching students have that “aha” moment when they finally solve a difficult problem on their own was definitely the biggest reward.

Saw new side of medical education

After my first year of medical school, while working as an Anatomy teaching assistant, I learned about the new opportunities to receive a Distinction in Medical Education, and what research in education really looked like. With the guidance of several faculty, including Dr. Dorothy Sendelbach, Dr. Blake Barker, and Dr. Reeni Abraham, I was introduced to the other side of medical education – not simply teaching but learning how to develop new curriculum and implement change in educational strategies.

I am grateful to have been part of this program and as I continue on in residency and my future career, I will certainly put the teaching skills and strategies I learned in this program to use.

Creating new review curriculum

Through the Distinction in Med Ed, I had the opportunity to create something I was passionate about – a new pelvic and urologic anatomy review curriculum for clerkship students. While on my own Surgery rotation, I noticed friends struggling with clinical correlates of anatomy, particularly of the pelvis, so I opted to create a lecture that I could lead myself as a near-peer teacher. Using prominent learning theories as a basis for curriculum development, I wanted to produce an educational resource that would be both enjoyable and effective for learners.

Ultimately my hope is that this curriculum will continue to be maintained and accessible for future students.

– Shivani Gaitonde, M.D., Distinction in Medical Education