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Medical school strongly represented at AAMC Learn Serve Lead Meeting

Faculty, staff, and students from Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine shared insights on AI, systems thinking, and professional development at AAMC’s national gathering.

Josh Meyer

20 Nov 2025

Signage for the AAMC Learn Serve Lead Meeting. — The Association of American Medical College's Learn Serve Leave Meeting was held Nov. 1-5 in San Antonio. Photo courtesy of Angelica Witcher Walker.

Faculty and students from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) represented Virginia Tech on the national stage at the Association of American Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) Learn Serve Lead meeting from Nov. 1-5 in San Antonio. Their sessions and presentations highlighted the university’s leadership in advancing medical education, professional development, and the student experience.

Learn Serve Lead is the AAMC’s premier annual gathering, where forward-thinking dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing fuel innovation and drive transformation in health, health care, research, and education.

“I was impressed by the engagement and excellence of our faculty, staff, and students who contributed to this important meeting,” said Lee Learman, dean of the school. “Their work demonstrates how VTCSOM continues to shape the future of medical education.”

A group photo of 14 individuals at a restaurant. — Attendees who represented the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine at the AAMC meeting included, from left: Jed Gonzalo, Mia Iqbal, Jacob Hanrahan, Tarin Schmidt-Dalton, Lee Learman, Rebecca Pauly, Brock Mutcheson, Shari Whicker, Emily Holt Foerst, Arthur Ollendorff, Amanda Murchison, Lee Rakes, Leslie LaConte and Mariah Rudd. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Pauly.

Elevating faculty development as a strategic resource

Shari Whicker, assistant dean for faculty development and interim associate dean for faculty affairs, and Mariah Rudd, director of continuing professional development TEACH, presented a workshop titled “Expanding the Institutional Reach and Impact of Faculty Development: Helping Systems Solve Problems.” The interactive session offered a roadmap for positioning faculty and continuing professional development as strategic tools to drive organizational improvement. Whicker and Rudd also co-facilitated a lunch discussion, “Better Together: Faculty Development and Continuing Education Partnerships for Institutional Success,” emphasizing collaboration as a catalyst for institutional growth.

Two women in front of a screen presenting. — Shari Whicker, at left, and Mariah Rudd presenting. Photo courtesy of Mariah Rudd.

Exploring AI and the future of medical education

Leslie LaConte, assistant dean for educational affairs, participated in a seminar titled “AI: Prompts, Hallucinations, and the Future of Medical Education.” The session summarized findings from the 2025 Millennium Conference, where VTCSOM was one of eight medical schools nationwide invited to participate. Representing VTCSOM’s medical education team at AAMC, LaConte discussed how artificial intelligence is reshaping medical learning and assessment.

Engaging leadership and systems thinking

Brock Mutcheson, associate dean for assessment, evaluation, and strategic analytics, hosted a roundtable on “Systems Thinking and Organizational AI Strategy,” where he guided attendees in exploring how AI can enhance institutional decision-making and data strategy in academic medicine.

A group of panelists sitting at a tall table. — Leslie LaConte, seated at top left, represented the medical education team on a panel discussion. Photo courtesy of Leslie LaConte.

Building community through national engagement

Rebecca Pauly, vice dean, served as both a seminar panel discussant and poster co-author, further extending VTCSOM’s voice in national conversations on medical education and faculty engagement.

“Our collective participation reflects the strength of our learning community,” said Learman. “By sharing ideas and insights with peers nationwide, we advance not only our own institution but the broader field of medical education.”

Two women standing in front of a scientific poster. — Vice dean Rebecca Pauly, at left, presented a poster related to mentorship research. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Pauly.

Showcasing student scholarship and vitality

Students Mia Iqbal (M2) and Jacob Hanrahan (M1), alongside Angelica Witcher Walker, assistant dean for student vitality and career development, presented research posters that underscored the school’s commitment to student-driven inquiry and innovation in medical education.