Curriculum Ambassador Program

History and Overview

Launched in the summer of 2001, the Curriculum Ambassador program is one of the great hallmarks of curricular change and enhancement at UCSF, and an exciting example of the way in which medical students can play an integral role in shaping the evolution of School of Medicine curriculum. Over the past 20 years, over 300 students have participated in this funded summer fellowship program, partnering with faculty mentors to identify high-priority areas for improvement within the curriculum, and designing and implementing curricular innovations. In total, the Curriculum Ambassadors have developed over 250 curriculum projects, which have shaped the educational experience of UCSF medical students over the past two decades. Students selected for this program will partner with educational leaders to learn core skills in curriculum development, identify and explore top-priority areas for curriculum improvement and innovation, and design and implement high-impact curriculum projects.

Summer 2024 Information:
Students selected for the Summer 2024 Curriculum Ambassador Program will be partnered with faculty mentors to work on specific projects related to the Anti-Oppression Curriculum Initiative. These will include Curricular Revision/Design/Development; Student Support/Paracurricular projects; Faculty Development Modules. For more information about specific projects, please contact Dr. Denise Connor.

Important dates and information for 2024

  • Application is here and due on March 1, 2024
  • Program runs for 8 weeks starting June 17th and ending on Friday, August 9th
  • You can choose to take vacation time and work 7 weeks
  • 2nd year Classes begin Monday, August 12th
  • Full time stipend is $5,000
  • We have capacity for a maximum of 8 students for this Summer (may be updated)
  • This Summer we will use the textbook: Essential Skills of a Medical Teacher, 3rd edition, Harden, Laidlaw

Workshops and Weekly sessions

The first week of the Summer, all students will engage in a 2 day Curriculum Development Workshop which will include interactive sessions:

  • Framework for approach to Curriculum Development utilizing the foundational text, “Curriculum Development for Medical Education” by Thomas, Kern, et al (3rd edition).
  • Literature Review for Medical Education
  • Disseminating your Medical Education projects
  • Curriculum Development
  • Making the most of a Mentoring Relationship

We will also hold a weekly Works in Progress sessions where students will gather to present their projects and get feedback from their peers and program faculty.

Program Leadership

John Davis, MD, PhD
Associate Dean for Curriculum, School of Medicine
Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases

Patricia O'Sullivan, EdD
Professor in the Department of Medicine
Director of Research and Development in Medical Education in the Center for Faculty Educators

Contact:
David Rachleff, Program Coordinator