Annual Report 2022-2023: Faculty Development Program
Program Reports
Submitted by Dr. Shaheen Darani, Director, Faculty Development
This year we celebrated the 12th anniversary of Donald Wasylenki Education Day (DWED). Our theme this year focused on EDIIA in Health Professions Education in support of the Department of Psychiatry’s strategic priority in equity. Dr. Catherine Lucey, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost and former Vice Dean for Education at UCSF gave a powerful and inspiring plenary talk on ‘Engineering Equity in Health Professions’ Education’. The event drew in a large number of faculty and learners from across our Department, with outstanding engagement and evaluation feedback. The Day also featured the highest number of poster presentations to date, showcasing the educational innovation and scholarship of our Department.
To support our TIME Strategic Plan priority in EDIIA, 14 unconscious bias education sessions were rolled out between 2021-2023. Aimed to increase faculty’s awareness of EDIIA in their clinical and academic roles and develop strategies to reduce the effects of bias, these sessions were delivered in partnership with Associate Director, EDI Education & Training and in collaboration with the Toronto Initiative for Diversity & Excellence (TIDE) at UofT. The sessions were accredited, adapted for Psychiatry, and engaged 21 Psychiatry faculty facilitators. Evaluation feedback and engagement has been outstanding, with, to date, almost over 650 faculty having completed the training.
In partnership with the Centre for Faculty Development (CFD), the Department completed this academic year, our inaugural offering of a series of 6 CFD workshops, customized for Psychiatry. The goal was to support the career development of teachers and educators, both faculty and senior residents. There was high interest in this program, with capacity filling up in 2 days. Topics have included giving and receiving feedback, teaching in clinical settings, mentorship, faculty wellness, and critical allyship. Further, in partnership with the Mentorship Working Group, we launched in June 2022 a community of practice to support the academic career development of clinician teachers. This community provides a space for faculty to connect with colleagues and reflect on their teaching practice as well as learn about pathways for promotion.
