Friday Forum

Challenging clinical case-based presentations intended to strengthen diagnostic reasoning, improve patient safety, enhance systems of care, and promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Objectives:

1. Analyze clinical outcomes and identify contributing factors.
2. Reflect on clinical decision making and management strategies.
3. Identify opportunities for improvement in patient safety and quality of care.
4. Apply lessons learned to future clinical practice.

Leads:

• Emily Borman-Shoap, MD, FAAP - Director, Pediatric Residency Program; Vice Chair for Education
• Danielle Bullock, MD, MPH - Associate Director, Pediatric Residency Program
• Chief residents 
  • Sydney Vahling, MD
  • Lindsay Juriga, MD

These sessions will provide practical guidance, mentorship, and tools to help both learners and faculty/staff navigate career planning, professional growth, leadership, and academic advancement.

Objectives:

1. Identify mentors, sponsors, and other resources that can support career growth.
2. Understand pathways and expectations for advancement, leadership, and academic success.
3. Develop actionable goals aligned with career interests and professional priorities.

Leads:

• Mike Pitt, MD - Vice Chair of Faculty Development
   

These sessions are a a part of an an interdisciplinary conference offered quarterly by the Department of Pediatrics with a focus on equity.

Objectives: 

1. Identify and analyze the effects of inequities and bias in clinical and research settings.
2. Describe systemic structures, practices, and policies that have excluded, marginalized and/or harmed communities based on demographics or socioeconomic factors and evaluate their impacts on patients' and communities' health.
3. Listen, learn and connect with institutional and community advocates

Leads: 

• Kaitlin Weisshappel, MD - Health Equity Rounds Course Director; Assistant Professor
• Beth Thielen, MD, PhD - Health Equity Rounds Planning Committee Member; Assistant Professor; Associate Director for Academic Affairs, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Erin Marcotte, PhD - Health Equity Rounds Planning Committee Member; Associate Professor; Executive Committee Member, Brain Tumor Program
• Brandi Buczynski - Health Equity Rounds Administrative Lead

These sessions will explore the human, cultural, ethical, and societal dimensions of medicine, encouraging reflection and curiosity.

Objectives:

1. Reflect on the human experiences, values, and perspectives that shape healthcare.
2. Explore how humanities and the arts can inform clinical practice and patient care.
3. Apply critical thinking and reflective skills to complex clinical and ethical situations.
4. Describe how humanities can support empathy, communication, resilience, and professional identity.

Leads:

• Emily Borman-Shoap, MD, FAAP - Director, Pediatric Residency Program; Vice Chair for Education
• Maren Olson, MD, MPH, MEd - Associate Director, Pediatric Residency Program; Director, U of M Center for the Art of Medicine