HSDM clinical instructor, Dr. Lisa Thompson has been awarded a Harvard Medical School (HMS) Academy Fellowship in Medical Education for the academic year 2015-2016.
As one of five Harvard faculty members selected, she will receive dedicated time to work on a project to be completed during the Fellowship year, which will contribute to the quality of student education at HMS and Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM).
Thompson’s project focuses on designing a curriculum for a community-based clinical experience that teaches medical, dental, and nursing students about the importance of oral health as a part of overall health for older adults, in addition to exposing students to alternative practice settings to influence future career choices.
“I am grateful for being chosen for this Fellowship and look forward to developing my skills as an educator to further contribute to the geriatric education of our dental, medical and allied health students,” Thompson said.
Fellowship seminars meet at least twice per month with the Director of the HMS Academy Fellowship, David A. Hirsh, MD to discuss topics related to curriculum development, educational research and program assessment, the application of adult learning theories, and the enhancement of teaching skills needed for both lecturing and small group teaching.
Dr. Hirsh commented, “The HMS Academy was delighted with the high quality work of the faculty who applied, the energy and creativity of the applicants, the meaningful projects they proposed, and the committed mentors who support them.”
Thompson attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA, as an undergraduate, and received her DMD from Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, in 2005. She was awarded the Massachusetts Access Program grant and worked for the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) as a general dentist. During her time at the CHA, she completed the fellowship in geriatric dentistry at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Thompson serves as Program Director, Geriatric Dental Fellowship, Office of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at HSDM. In the summer of 2014, Dr. Thompson traveled to Tarija, Bolivia to assess and provide oral health care for almost 200 residents in four underserved rural communities. In Lynn, Mass, she provides on-site oral health care to older adults enrolled in Element Care.
