Assessment and Evaluation: Systems Thinking in Health Professions Education
- Harvard Macy Institute
Explore updated strategies for implementing curricular reform, learning assessment, innovation, accreditation, and CQI in medical, nursing, dental, and other health professions schools.
- Live Online
This program is taught online in real time.
Continuing Education Credits
32.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
A Certificate of Completion is also awarded.
Five Days
The program is five days complemented by one pre-course date and one post-course date.
On This Page
Overview
This immersive online program empowers health professions educators and leaders to drive meaningful educational change within complex organizations. Grounded in systems thinking, the curriculum equips participants with principles and frameworks to reconceptualize assessment and evaluation as strategic tools for advancing institutional priorities and improving learner outcomes. Through dynamic interactive formats — including case discussions, hands-on workshops, and personalized faculty consultations — attendees explore best practices in assessment, collaborate with peers, and apply new strategies to their own educational contexts. Scholars leave with expanded expertise, ready to implement and sustain transformative improvements within their institutions.
Learning Objectives
- Cultivate new skills and habits in the strategic design and use of assessment.
- Develop capability in systems thinking to advance assessment in your institution.
- Apply data-informed evaluation strategies to measure improved educational quality and outcomes.
- Enhance your effectiveness as an educational leader and change agent.
About the Program
As educators and leaders in health care navigate growing demands for accountability and excellence in complicated systems, they must adopt integrated, innovative approaches to curriculum evaluation and improvement. This program supports participants to align assessment practices with broader institutional goals, drawing on systems thinking to enhance coherence and impact across the enterprise.
Guided by nationally recognized faculty, scholars learn to design meaningful assessment plans, deploy effective evaluation tools, and measure outcomes for learners, faculty, and programs. The collaborative learning environment provides space to refine active projects, conceptualize actionable strategies, and develop the confidence and skills to lead innovation and drive continuous improvement.
Program Format
This five-day virtual program features pre- and post-course sessions for extended engagement. Scholars participate in interactive presentations, journal clubs, small group consultations, and case-based workshops. Individualized faculty mentoring supports participants to adapt tools and strategies to refine their ongoing educational projects.
Who Should Apply
This program is ideal for health professions educators, academic leaders, curriculum developers, and assessment specialists responsible for evaluating courses, programs, or systems. The experience is particularly well-suited for those seeking to apply systems thinking to organizational challenges, enhance the effectiveness of their educational initiatives, and lead sustainable institutional improvement.
Program Faculty
The program is led by a distinguished teaching team of experts in medical education, who bring a wealth of experience and a commitment to supporting your growth as an educator and leader in the health care field.
Louis Pangaro
MD, MACP
- Professor of Medicine and Health Professions Education, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
Lauren Germain
PhD, MeD
- Director, Evaluation, Assessment & Research, SUNY Upstate Medical University
- Assistant Professor, Medicine & Public Health and Preventative Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University
Martin Pusic, MD
Mark Grichanik, PhD
Mark is the Director of Program Evaluation at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he codirects the Educational Measurement Unit. His academic interests include technology-enhanced healthcare education, innovative assessment and evaluation approaches, and the behavioral economics underlying medical education practice. He is motivated by solving complex challenges in medical education and balancing rigor with practicality in dynamic organizational contexts.
Susan Farrell, MD, EdM
Susan is the associate dean for assessment and evaluation at Harvard Medical School. Previous to her current position, she worked as the education program director at Partners HealthCare International and the director of continuing professional development at Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. She specialized in emergency medicine and medical toxicology.
Farhan Bhanji, MD, MSc (Ed), FRCSC, FAHA
Farhan is the vice-dean of education, faculty of medicine and health sciences (FMHS) at McGill University. He also works as a pediatrician and a professor of pediatrics, which has led him to earn the Kaplan Award for clinical teaching from the McGill Pediatrics residents and the New Educator’s Award from the Canadian Association for Medical Education. His areas of interest include extracorporeal and pediatric advanced life support, pediatric transport, cardiac critical care, and global health.
Eric Holmboe, MD
Eric is the Chief Executive Officer of Intealth and has previously served as the Chief Research, Milestones Development and Evaulation Officer at the Accrediation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Eric is passionate about improving medical education and clinical pracice through the advacement of assessment methods, tools, and systems. He has also been a professor adjunct of medicine at Yale University and the Chief Medical Officer at the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Todd Cassese, MD
Todd is passionate about developing student assessment that is applicable to the work students will do as physicians and developing helpful ways to evaluate the college's programs and faculty. His research focuses on applying theoretical constructs in business, education, and humanities to challenges in medical education.
Program Fee
Program fees do not include airfare, accommodation, meals, or educational materials. Review Cancellation Policy
| Program Fee | |
|---|---|
| Priority Enrollment Deadline: December 31,2025 | $4,400 |
| Regular Enrollment Deadline: February 25, 2026 | $4,800 |
"The program offers a wealth of knowledge and connections that can significantly advance one’s understanding and capabilities in the field."
Learner Stories and Insights
Interview with A Systems Approach to Assessment in Health Professions Education Course Director Louis Pangaro
"We work hard on applying established principles and available research to the needs in one's own institution."
Interview with Assessment and Evaluation: Systems Thinking in Health Professions Education Alumnus Sara Arter
"I was amazed that such a large amount of learning could occur in a week."
Interview with Assessment and Evaluation: Systems Thinking in Health Professions Education Scholar Katherine Chartier
"Interacting with experts in the assessment arena who shared their vast knowledge and practical applications was advantageous."
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Accreditation
The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 32.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
For the purpose of recertification, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and American Nurses Credentialing Center accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education). We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.
The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the European Union of Medical Specialties website.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.