Department of Internal Medicine UI Confers Teaching Excellence Award on Dr. Peter Densen 3/31/2004 Dr. Peter Densen, professor and interim head of internal medicine, has left an indelible mark on medical education at The University of Iowa and on the lives and careers of many physicians. Now his contributions have been recognized with a UI President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence. Densen is one of three individuals to receive the new university-wide award this year, which recognizes UI faculty "who have sustained a high level of teaching excellence." The award carries a $3000 prize. A former associate dean of student affairs and curriculum for the Carver College of Medicine, Densen led a review that resulted in extensive revision of the medical curriculum beginning in 1994. The new curriculum introduced case-based learning in small groups to help facilitate more and better contact between students and faculty, as well as integration of material across courses to promote development of clinical reasoning skills and self-directed learning. Other changes that Densen championed, while not part of the formal curriculum, significantly reshaped the experience of Iowa medical students. He conceived and pushed the development of student learning communities within the College, which then were incorporated into the design of the Medical Education and Research Facility. The communities - officially designated communities of excellence for learning and leadership in society, or CELLS - foster interaction among students at all levels of the curriculum and between students and faculty. They also serve as the locus for service projects and other activities that augment students' formal learning. As associate dean, Densen reorganized and increased the number of staff involved in student affairs. Admissions, orientation for incoming students, academic and career counseling, and curriculum development all received renewed emphasis and resources. His work on the big picture of medical education hasn't deterred Densen from continuing to develop his own teaching skills. Blending a passion for mentorship with a penchant for the Socratic method, Densen leads students to a better understanding of their own knowledge. Medical students have chosen Densen for Excellence in Teaching Awards seven times, with fourth-year students electing him Teacher of the Year in 1993 and 1994; in 1991, he received a UI Collegiate Teaching Award. More recently, as interim head of internal medicine, Densen invested considerable effort in revitalizing education programs in the department. Morning reports, where resident physicians present cases for discussion, and Grand Rounds have become vibrant forums for learning by both residents and medical students. Colleagues, students, and former students alike note Densen's ability to integrate clinical observations with the latest scholarly findings, while never losing sight of the patient's dignity and individuality. Along the way Densen has counseled hundreds of students, opened his home to many on holidays and maintained personal contact with more than a few as they moved through residency training and began their careers. Combining a talent for teaching, a progressive philosophy of education and remarkable energy and commitment, Densen exemplifies teaching excellence in the UI Carver College of Medicine. |