Kyra Len
2022 Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Kyra Len of Medical Education and Pediatrics at JABSOM motivates and challenges students and residents to learn to care for patients, rather than merely treating ailments. The launching of a new learning community curriculum provides one opportunity for deeper conversations among students, many who give testimony to having changed their field of practice entirely due to Dr. Len’s influence as their teacher and mentor. In teaching, she diversifies the content and approach within each week to include presentations and seminars, workshops and bedside teaching with patients involved. Beyond that, a colleague credits her with transforming the department through her many contributions. She has led three innovative curriculum initiatives adopted by JABSOM and nationally, including: a boot-camp for 4th Year students; a “point-of-care” tool for pediatric diagnosis now available on phones; and, a longitudinal community curriculum program dealing with ethical and deeply practical issues with regard to patients. A colleague sees Dr. Len as creating an environment that is growing clinically competent, culturally sensitive, professional leaders committed to serving their communities.
2022 Faculty Awardees