Published October 2022
Congratulations again on your appointment as the Vice President of Medical Education at the American College of Physicians (ACP) this past July! You were previously at the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) for eight years. Can you tell us a bit about your new role and what led you to the ACP?
Prior to moving to Philadelphia to work at NBME, I spent most of my career in clinical teaching and medical education, working with all levels of learners. At NBME, my focus was primarily on assessment (as an assessment organization) and the medical content work around those exams. Moving to ACP was a chance to “get back to my roots” and be immersed not only in all aspects of medical education but join a physician-led organization whose mission is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of healthcare by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine in all facets of medical education. I am back in my herd!
What do you see in store for the future of medical education?
This is a timely question as I am writing this as I attend the Association of Medical Education of Europe (AMEE) conference in Lyon, France—and it is always enlightening to get a worldview on a question like this. There are so many timely themes permeating this meeting and certainly reflecting the challenges we have faced as a species during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has never been more clear that medical education is more than memorizing textbooks—those can now be accessed and searched on a smartphone from a cloud! More important is how we can efficiently and accurately access that information and apply it to real-life patient needs. The days of the “sage on the stage” with 120 PowerPoint slides are waning quickly, thankfully.
Students are getting into the clinical setting earlier, doing more robust applied learning and not just focusing on exams of knowledge alone. Students and trainees these days have unfathomable access to mountains of data—both for learning and for patient care. How do we teach them to best utilize this information? It is not just what they can memorize and recall.
Technology has allowed us to reach students in their homes, on the bus, abroad, and beyond—in ways we may never have imagined years ago. But at the same time this has further exacerbated the inequities in our systems of education. Not everyone has access to broadband internet, for example. I am optimistic that the future of medical education is bright and filled with promises of exciting innovations and means of ensuring safe and competent care of future generations.
What interested you about becoming a Fellow at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia?
Prior to moving to Philadelphia, I used to travel here at least yearly for meetings, and I made it a point every trip to visit the Mütter Museum! I have always loved the Mütter! In fact, when we had a company holiday party at the Mütter, I wrote a song about “My Favorite Things” at the Museum and performed it for the entire group (happy to share my list anytime)! When Fellowship was introduced to me, I was so enamored with the history that I would become a part of. To me, Fellowship is much more than an honorific title, it’s a calling to serve the College and the community. I love being involved with the Wohlreich Junior Fellows program, attending the events, and the opportunities for mentorship (giving and receiving).
The College was honored to host the Latino Medical Student Association Reception back in March, as well as a Happy Hour for Latinx Fellows and medical students in August. Thank you for playing an instrumental part in organizing both events! We are in the middle of Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) and this year’s theme is Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation. How do you hope to see the College prioritize inclusivity in our Fellowship and community in the coming years?
This harkens back to my previous answers in many ways. To me, ‘inclusion’ is the critical oft-overlooked part of “DEI.” The College does great work in our ranks and engaging the community while striving to ensure people feel a sense of belonging and value while engaged with the College. And we must be ever mindful that even among the most diverse organizations, there’s not always a feeling of inclusion. URM Fellows might be well-represented at the College, but still not feel fully included due to a variety of factors. Fostering Fellowship and mentorship with ongoing events and programs are really wonderful ways to do this, and I am glad the College has been so engaged in these efforts.
Dr. Paniagua, you and your wife are avid Mischief at the Mütter attendees, you have hosted department parties at the College, and done tours for your colleagues in the Museum. As such an engaged College Fellow, what do you feel is one of the best ways for Fellows to get more involved with the College? Also, any hints on your Mischief costume this year?
What I said above deserves repeating: Fellowship is much more than an honorific title, it’s a calling to serve the College and the community. More specifically, as Fellows we should “ask”: Ask ourselves what can we give this year? Maybe it is a donation above our dues, even if modest. Maybe it is giving our time to the mentoring programs or in some other capacity. Or perhaps it is just bringing one or two more people to the Mütter Museum for a visit who have never been there before. I can imagine it is always a challenge to move beyond the small cadre of Fellows who are “usual suspects” who are always engaged; to compelling every Fellow of the College to realize they each have so much they can contribute to the mission. As for the costume, it is still in the works—Either an ensemble piece with my crew (Think “Dirty Dancing”) or I might do a fabulous Elton John costume. Or both! Halloween is a season in my house, not just a night!
You are incredibly well-versed in the Museum collection - you even have your own scavenger hunt! Can you tell us about one of your favorite items in the Library or Museum?
I did, in fact, create my own Mütter scavenger hunt for a work event! My most favorite thing might be more obscure than most, but it is President Cleveland’s resected throat tumor! I am a life-long presidential history buff and there in that small jar is quite literally a piece of history. When you look back to the circumstances surrounding its removal (on a boat in the middle of the Potomac to avoid the press), and how it compares to more recent presidential history and the never-ending discussions about the health of our leaders.