AMA Honors Faculty Member with Inspiration Award

For many years, Erin N. Marcus, M.D., M.P.H., professor of clinical medicine and longitudinal clinician educator at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has inspired medical students as a teacher and mentor.

“I try to be a good listener, understand their concerns, and provide practical advice and strategies,” she said. “I consider it a privilege to be a clinician and an educator.”

Now, the American Medical Association’s Women Physicians Section has honored Dr. Marcus’ commitment to training the next generation of medical students with its 2022 Inspiration Award. She was one of 52 physicians recognized nationally for offering their time, wisdom, and support throughout the professional careers of fellow physicians, residents, and students.

“This honor reflects Dr. Marcus’ remarkable ability to motivate and inspire our students, who nominated her for this prestigious award,” said Latha Chandran, M.D., M.P.H., executive dean for education and policy, founding chair of the Department of Medical Education, and Bernard J. Fogel Chair in Medical Education. “It also reflects the vital support role our 25 longitudinal clinician educators (LCEs) play in preparing our students for engaging and rewarding careers in their fields.”

As one of the LCEs for the Medicine as a Profession (MAP) program, Dr. Marcus meets weekly with first-year students in the M.D./M.P.H program.

“We cover bedside clinical skills and other aspects of care, as well as population health principles,” she said. “I also talk with them individually to provide guidance on issues like study skills, relaxation techniques for dealing with stress, and thinking about their personal and professional goals, while making sure they know about the many resources available through our university.”

Dr. Marcus’ students say that she is a caring and understanding educator. “She carefully listens to her students’ aspirations and goes out of her way to connect us to the right mentors, projects, and resources,” said Amy Thein, M.D./M.P.H. Class of 2025. “She is a kind mentor and thoughtful physician, always challenging us to improve and do our best. I strive to become a physician like her.”

 A NextGenMD Initiative

Dr. Chandran says the LCEs play a key role in the Miller School’s NextGenMD curriculum, offering coaching, advocacy, and support while promoting the development of clinical skills.

“By connecting small groups of students with an experienced faculty member who follows them throughout medical school, we focus on personal as well as the professional development of every learner in our school,” she said. “In order to fulfill our mission of producing transformational leaders serving their communities, our students need to know themselves and what they want to accomplish in their careers.”

Dr. Chandran added that the LCE program is also beneficial for the medical school’s faculty. “It gives them a stronger connection to our students and their own sense of purpose. It’s very fulfilling, so it’s not surprising that we have a waiting list of faculty who want to serve as LCEs.”

An Accomplished Career

 Dr. Marcus joined the medical school in 1996 after completing an internal medicine residency at Georgetown University. Her many academic roles include serving as associate program director of the UM/Jackson Memorial Internal Medicine Residency and directing the M.D./M.P.H. program’s public health seminar course.

“I am inspired by seeing students interact with my patients, who come from many cultures and communities,” she said. “I am always learning from them.”

In 2020-2021, Dr. Marcus received the Department of Medicine Award for Excellence in Teaching, along with a similar award from the UM/JMH internal medicine residents. She was also selected as a Public Voices Fellow as part of a University-wide initiative aimed at increasing the impact of women and minorities in the public discourse.

Dr. Marcus directed the medical school’s learning community for M.D./M.P.H. students and continued to serve as an LCE when the NextGenMD curriculum was adopted in 2018. She now works with 27 students and  advises internal medicine residents.

“I think the LCE initiative is an excellent way to support our students on their educational journey,” she said. “It is one of our school’s many strengths.”

Tags: AMA Inspiration Award, American Medical Association, Department of Medical Education, Department of Medicine, Dr. Erin Marcus, internal medicine residency, M.D./M.P.H. Program, Miller School of Medicine, NextGenMD, UM/Jackson