On behalf of Dean Compton, and representing our Learning Collaboratives development team, Sonia Nagy Chimienti, MD, FIDSA, Dean of Educational Affairs announced that Dr. Roshini Pinto-Powell has been appointed as the Inaugural Director for Geisel’s Learning Collaboratives for Flourishing in Medical Education. This new initiative represents a transformative step in how we support the holistic professional and career development of our medical students, and we are honored to have Dr. Pinto-Powell lead this important work.
Dr. Pinto-Powell will be supported in this role by the Friedman Family Legacy Fellowship for Teaching the Art and Practice of Medicine. This endowed fund was established in honor of Joseph J. Friedman, MD (DMS’28), Alan J. Friedman, MD (D’56, DMS’57), and Neil J. Friedman, MD (D’88). This fellowship supports the teaching of a humanistic approach to patient care at Geisel, encompassing physical exam and diagnostic techniques, communication, history taking, empathy, and the traditions and values of comprehensive, patient-centered care. We are grateful to the Friedman family’s commitment to humanism in medicine and fostering innovation in clinical skills education.
Building on the KNN Framework® for Flourishing in Medicine, through the work of our Learning Collaboratives development team, Geisel aims to support flourishing in medical education by fostering a holistic sense of well-being that integrates:
- Academic excellence – development and acquisition of outstanding clinical skills and patient-centered medical education that are foundational to becoming a physician.
- Practical wisdom (phronesis) – the ability to make wise decisions in complex, real-world situations.
- Leadership and leading self – cultivation of emotional intelligence, leadership presence, collaboration, and “teaming”[1] as critical elements of professional development in medicine.
- Professional purpose, values, and growth – exploration of personal values, career goals, values-based professional identity development, and envisioning one’s own value system related to meaningful contributions in medicine.
Flourishing as supported by this program will go beyond academic success—it will center on cultivating a balanced and fulfilling life while making meaningful progress toward personal and professional goals and serving patients and communities with compassion and integrity.
Over the past three years, Geisel developed its Learning Collaboratives through a stepwise and inclusive process. These collaboratives will officially launch in August 2025 with the incoming Class of 2029.
As director, Dr. Pinto-Powell will provide visionary leadership and oversee the continued development and implementation of this new vital program. She has been integral to building Geisel’s Learning Collaboratives from the outset and has been a passionate advocate for humanism, clinical skills excellence, patient-centered education, and phronesis in Geisel’s medical education program. She is well-known to our community, through her service not only as director of Geisel’s hallmark On Doctoring program, but also through her contributions as associate dean for admissions, leading Geisel’s outstanding admissions team in recruiting and welcoming each incoming class. Dr. Pinto-Powell will continue her work in both important roles in addition to directing the Learning Collaboratives.