The Educator Concentration prepares residents in our program for careers in clinical education and academic administration. This concentration provides support and opportunities for our residents to develop skills in teaching, curriculum development, administration, and scholarly productivity. However, the concentration structure is flexible enough to allow residents to work on their individualized interests and find their own niche in academic psychiatry.

Activities

Mentorship – Residents are paired with one primary mentor who helps them work towards personalized career goals, and develop a network of mentors and colleagues for additional guidance and collaboration.

Veterans Affairs (VA) Teaching Elective – Residents in the Educator Concentration have priority in scheduling the popular VA Teaching Elective. In this elective, residents design, deliver, and evaluate a series of didactics for third-year medical students. They also work with faculty to bolster their knowledge of curriculum development through reading and special projects.

Curriculum Development Elective – Residents have the opportunity to create a novel curriculum of their choosing. In the past, residents have designed curricula for medical student electives on such innovative topics as “Pop Culture in Psychiatry” and “Wellness and Spirituality.”

Scholarly Activity – Residents work with mentors to transform their educational endeavors into scholarly projects with local or national dissemination. With support from mentors, residents are encouraged to submit their work for presentation at national meetings, and to consider additional awards or opportunities to participate in academic psychiatry at a regional and national level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When do residents join the concentration?

A. All UTSW psychiatry residents are invited to apply for the concentration in the second year of residency; third-year residents are also welcome to apply.

Q. Can residents join the concentration and still fast track into child psychiatry?

A. Yes, in these cases, residents work with their mentors to adjust the timing of concentration activities to fit the residents’ schedule.

Q. How can I get more information?

A. Please contact the track director, Mallory Cash, M.D., for additional information: mallory.cash@utsouthwestern.edu. 

Examples of Educator Projects

• Development of psychiatry residency courses and special seminars on such topics as literature and psychiatry; advocacy; domestic violence; spirituality; visual arts; and forensic psychiatry
• Creation of a "Psych in Pop Culture" elective for medical students
• Acting as psychiatry mentors in the UT Southwestern Colleges: teaching physical exam and interview skills to first- and second-year medical students
• Development of "Being Well Through a Muslim Lens" course for the community
• Creation of UT Southwestern's HEAL for Muslims group, a cross-department network of Muslim residents and fellows
• Research involving investigation into barriers to resident research; empathy and reflection in medical education