Drs. Jim Anderson and Karen Brasel are new assistant deans for GME

Dec. 12, 2017

Two familiar faces in the OHSU graduate medical education community have been chosen for Dean's office leadership positions to help the School of Medicine fulfill its mission to train residents and fellows. George Mejicano, M.D., M.S., senior associate dean for education, OHSU School of Medicine, approved the appointments of Jim Anderson, M.D., and Karen Brasel, M.D., as assistant deans for GME. The part-time positions report to the associate dean for GME, a role held by Christopher Swide, M.D., and are effective immediately.

The two roles will have distinct responsibilities, but both will be crucial to maintaining the institution's reputation for high program quality and its exceptional accreditation record. OHSU employs more than 850 trainees in the School of Medicine's 80-plus accredited programs. In 2017, approximately 15,000 trainees from around the world applied for 276 available positions in OHSU's GME programs. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, Oregon is ninth in the nation for retaining physicians from GME.

"OHSU's GME programs are highly competitive and known for providing a broad range of clinical learning opportunities. With Jim and Karen on board, I am confident that our teaching and learning environment will continue to thrive and improve, both here in Portland and in sites across the state," said Dr. Swide, who is also professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, OHSU School of Medicine.

Dr. Brasel, professor of surgery, OHSU School of Medicine, and director of the general surgery residency program, will focus on developing and implementing GME procedures, policy and oversight of trainees and programs. For example, she will assist residency directors with program development to ensure educationally sound practices as well as oversight of programs that may have concerns as determined by the GME Committee or the Designated Institutional Official. Dr. Brasel will help any learners who may experience performance concerns so that the GME division can ensure their successful advancement.

Dr. Anderson's role will focus on outreach, GME expansion and the Oregon physician workforce. Dr. Anderson, professor of diagnostic radiology, OHSU School of Medicine, and director of the diagnostic radiology residency program, will be a liaison to partners of OHSU to create new resident/fellow rotations and ACGME-accredited programs throughout Oregon. He will lead and facilitate discussions about possible expansion of OHSU GME program rotations at non-affiliated sites. When new programs are proposed, he will facilitate their implementation of all ACGME requirements – the knowledge for which sometimes prevents new programs from achieving accreditation. Dr. Anderson will also help develop a culture of education and trainee oversight at all affiliated and non-affiliated sites, which would include education for nursing, pharmacy, clinical and physician staff about the roles of residents and fellows.

"I am pleased to have Drs. Anderson and Brasel join the GME leadership team," said Dr. Mejicano. "OHSU has a strong history of contributing to the state's physician workforce, and during this time of projected health professional shortages, our ability to foster a wider workforce pipeline is more important than ever."

As directors of their respective departments' residency programs, Drs. Anderson and Brasel bring valuable teaching and educational leadership skills to their roles, as well as years of experience in the research and clinical missions of academic medicine. Dr. Anderson joined OHSU in 2001. He is also head of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology's neuroradiology section, chairs the ACGME Review Committee for Diagnostic Radiology, and is active in the Association of Program Directors in Radiology. Dr. Brasel came to OHSU in 2014. She is vice chair of education in the Department of Surgery, head of the Transition to Practice Program, and served as GME chief education officer through June 2017. Her numerous service roles include active membership in the Association for Program Directors in Surgery, and membership on the association's Research Committee.

Pictured: Dr. Karen Brasel and Dr. Jim Anderson, new assistant deans for GME, OHSU School of Medicine.