Issue 97, May 2026

A LETTER TO OUR GRADUATES AND EDUCATORS 
This is a season of extraordinary achievement. As we gather to celebrate the Class of 2026, we do so with profound gratitude, immense pride, and great optimism for the future of human health.

TO OUR GRADUATES:
Your journey has been marked by dedication, sacrifice, intellectual courage, and an unwavering commitment to the betterment of others and the world. This month, we honor you. | Full Excerpt

A full list of WashU graduations can be found here. 

Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences Hooding and Recognition Ceremony
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 9AM | Details
Location: Danforth Campus, Graham Chapel
Keynote remarks: Dr. Jarrett Glasscock

Doctor of Medicine Commencement Ceremony
Date/Time: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 9AM
Location: Danforth Campus, Field House
Keynote remarks: Dr. Jeffrey Gordon

The School of Medicine, Masters Recognition Ceremony
Date/Time: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 4PM
Location: Medical Campus, Eric P. Newman Center

University-wide Commencement Ceremony
Date/Time: Friday, May 15, 2026, 9AM
Location: Danforth Campus, Olympic Field

Program of Physical Therapy Recognition Ceremony
Date/Time: Friday, May15, 2026, 1:30PM
Location: Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza, St. Louis Khorassan Ballroom

Program of Occupational Therapy Recognition Ceremony
Date/Time: Friday, May 15, 2026, 1:30PM
Location: Danforth Campus, Graham Chapel

Program in Audiology & Communication Sciences Recognition Ceremony
Date/Time: Friday, May 15, 2026, 1:30PM
Location: Medical Campus, Eric P. Newman Education Center

Commencement Festival
Date/Time: Friday, May 15, 2026, 2:30PM
Location: Danforth Campus, Mudd Field extending to Tisch Park

Deadline: Sunday, June 21, 2026, 11:59pm | Academy Application
The Academy of Educators is now accepting membership applications for 2026. The Academy aims to foster a culture of educational excellence and community of leaders in health science education. The Academy is service-based, and attendance of/participation in Academy events is expected, including attendance and participation in scheduled Academy meetings. Please review membership criteria and reach out with questions.

Application Deadline: Sunday, May 31, 2026, 11:59pm | Apply to TSP
The Teaching Scholars Program is a certificate program intended for health professions faculty who wish to obtain scholarly expertise in curriculum development, design, and evaluation. The program consists of twice-monthly seminars on Thursday afternoons during the 2026-2027 academic year, a curriculum project completed under faculty mentorship/guidance, and a capstone presentation event.

Application Deadline: July 10, 2026 | Apply to PD Bootcamp
Applications are open for the 2026-2027 Program Director Bootcamp. This certificate program is open to new, aspiring, and experienced residency and fellowship Program Directors from both accredited and non-ACGME accredited programs as well as current Associate Program Directors. This course aims to enhance GME knowledge, foster connections with other GME leaders, develop new skills, and tackle common PD challenges. | More About PD Bootcamp

Looking to enhance your research? Register now for Clinical Investigation courses offered by the WashU Medicine Clinical Research Training Center! The summer Bench Fundamentals for Translational Research course combines theory and hands-on application for 3 weeks of intensive training. Gain deeper knowledge in the core competencies of clinical research and investigation through Clinical Investigation Bootcamp or our other Fall 2026 courses. Eligible individuals not enrolled in a WashU degree program are able to enroll in up to 9 credits of coursework as a non-degree seeking scholar. Credits earned can later be applied to the Graduate Certificate or Master of Science in Clinical Investigation. Email crtcmsci@wustl.edu to learn more or enroll.

The Master of Population Health Sciences degree and certificates are designed to prepare current and aspiring public health leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to impact the health outcomes for patient populations. Through this program you will explore key public health issues in epidemiology, biostatistics, clinical effectiveness, and outcome research. | More Information

Connect in person with the interprofessional community this summer, all facilitated by the CIPE’s Master Interprofessional Educators. | Register to Attend

Foundations of IPE: Monday, June 8, 2026 OR Saturday, June 20, 2026

Creative Conversations: Saturday, June 20, 2026

Power & Positionality: Tuesday, June 23, 2026

View details & register for all events here. 

Education Scholarship, next session: Monday, May 18, 2026
(Topic: Reviewing for a MedEd Journal)

Teaching w/ Joy & Creativity, next session: Monday, June 15, 2026
(Topic: Crafting Critical Thought)

Congratulations to Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences students: Kathleen Kim, Elena Ochoa, and Victoria Swiler who were each awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) supports outstanding graduate students in STEM fields, providing a $37,000 annual stipend and $16,000 cost-of-education allowance for three years. Students Luyang Zhang and Natalie Walsh also received Honorable Mentions.

The Program in Genetic Counseling recently completed its sixth successful admissions cycle. The incoming Class of 2028 was revealed on GC Admissions Match Day, April 15, 2026. We are excited to welcome these brilliant and dedicated scholars to our program in August. We are grateful to all our applicants as well as the many faculty members and clinicians who volunteer to assist with our admissions. Please join us in celebrating these incoming students’ incredible accomplishments!

The Academy of Educators and Medical Education Research Evaluation Unit (MERE) are proud to announce that Bethany C. Sacks, MD, MEd has been awarded a Small Grant for her project: “Understanding Expectation Setting on the Surgery Clerkship: A Qualitative Exploration of Student & Resident Experiences.”

Heather Hageman, MBA, Director of the Collaboration for Interprofessional Education and the WashU Medicine Community Engagement Hub, is being honored by the WashU School of Public Health with the Community Practicum Supervisor Award this month at the Annual School of Public Health Awards. This award recognizes community partners who provide exceptional mentorship and supervision to students during their practicum experiences. Congratulations, Heather!

The 2026 Goldstein Visiting Professorship took place in April and included a series of engaging sessions with Dr. Louis Pangaro focused on medical education scholarship. A highlight was the Goldstein Visiting Professor Symposium, which included a MERU/MERE history session reflecting on the program’s development and impact. The Office of Education would like to acknowledge Heather Hageman and Drs. Donna Jeffe, Janice Hanson, Dorothy Andriole, and Alison Whelan, for their contributions to the success and elevation of medical education scholarship at WashU Medicine. (Above, L to R: Andriole, Hageman, Pangaro, Jeffe, Hanson, with Vice Chancellor of Medical Education Eva Aagaard.)

The Office of Education would like to extend a thank you to those who participated in activities in 2025 for the NBME individual and school-based exams and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). By contributing to NBME assessments and the USMLE program we as an institution are supporting the design and development of the highest quality measures of competencies relevant to health professions practice in the US and around the world. These assessments provide information to individuals, schools, programs and, in the case of licensure for practice, state regulatory boards. Thank you, Drs. Oscar Cepeda, Dominique Cosco, Tom De Fer, Amanda Emke, Douglas Larsen, Allyson Zazulia, and Lisa Zickuhr!

Jill Johnson, PT, DPT

PT Night of Talent

Dakota Kamm, MS, PhD

Lynnette Khoo-Summers, PT, DPT

2026 Outstanding Faculty Award, Graduate and Professional Student Council
Jill Johnson, PT, DPT, received a 2026 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Graduate and Professional Student Council. This award honors faculty members who have had a significant positive impact on the lives of graduate and professional students at WashU Medicine.
WashU Medicine PT Night of Talent
The WashU Medicine Physical Therapy Night of Talent and Ambler Awards brought the community together for an evening of celebration, creativity and connection. The event showcased a wide range of talents held by learners, faculty, and staff and also recognized  individuals who exemplify excellence, leadership and service in the WashU PT community.
GO! St. Louis Marathon Post-Race Recovery Services
WashU Medicine Physical Therapy once again played a key role in supporting runners at the GO! St. Louis Marathon, providing post-race recovery services to help participants safely cool down and begin the recovery process. More than 75 volunteers, including learners, faculty and clinicians, contributed their time and expertise. | Full Story
Foundation for Physical Therapy Research Fundraising/Run for Research
The student-led Run for Research 5K brought the WashU Medicine Physical Therapy community together in support of the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research. Participants included WashU Medicine students and faculty, program faculty, staff, learners and patients. | About the Foundation for PT Research
Kamm Defends Movement Science PhD Dissertation
Dr. Dakota Kamm, MS, PhD, successfully defended his Movement Science PhD dissertation, titled “Harnessing Mechanobiology of Resident Stem Cells to Refine Cell Based Therapeutics.” His work contributes to advancing cell-based therapeutic approaches through a deeper understanding of mechanobiology.
Khoo-Summers Received 2026 Dean's Impact Award
Lynnette Khoo-Summers was presented with a 2026 Dean’s Impact Award at a special ceremony. This award recognizes faculty who demonstrate focused excellence through sustained commitment to their professional calling. | About the Dean's Impact Awards

“Work-life balance” may be the wrong framework—and it may be quietly harming us. Olga Kipnis, Assistant Dean for Organizational Excellence at WashU Medicine, explores why and invites a different approach in her Inside Higher Ed opinion piece. If this resonates, connect with or follow Olga on LinkedIn. | Full Article

WashU faculty Drs. Kelly Currie, MD, FACS, Sara Greer, MD, Ashley Weinhold, MD, and Abby Spencer, MD, FACP, recently published this Journal of Graduate Medical Education article, "A Low-Fidelity Procedural Simulation Using the Game Operation to Train Faculty in Feedback Skills." Many medical teachers struggle to give specific, useful feedback to trainees during real procedures, where time pressure and anxiety make coaching difficult. To address this, educators created a simple simulation that uses the Operation board game to mimic a procedure and let faculty practice giving feedback before, during, and after the “operation.” In this safe, low-stakes setting, participants work with an actor playing a resident, use a checklist of observable behaviors, and then debrief how clear, timely, and actionable their feedback was. Early results show strong enthusiasm, clearer coaching, and interest from other institutions, suggesting this low-cost approach could be widely used to improve how doctors are trained. | Full Article

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