UFCOMJ fellowship administrator to speak at national GI training workshop

Author

Jesef Williams

Published On

March 19, 2015

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Image: Donna Best, administrator for the gastroenterology (GI) fellowship program at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, will speak later this month at the national GI Training Directors’ Workshop in Phoenix. — Donna Best, administrator for the gastroenterology (GI) fellowship program at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, will speak later this month at the national GI Training Directors’ Workshop in Phoenix.

Donna Best looks forward to sharing knowledge while also gaining insight at an upcoming national conference for those who help guide gastroenterology training programs.

Best, administrator for the gastroenterology (GI) fellowship program at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, will lead a panel discussion at the national GI Training Directors’ Workshop, set for March 27–29 in Phoenix. The American Gastroenterological Association sponsors the annual event.

The panel discussion, one of several segments of the multi-day workshop, is geared toward new coordinators of GI education programs. Participants will be able to learn best practices while gaining a fuller understanding of their roles in graduate medical education. One of the workshop’s organizers asked Best to facilitate.

“If I can be part of something that will help new coordinators be more efficient and help relieve their anxiety, then I’m thrilled to share my knowledge,” said Best, who’s been a member of the American Gastroenterological Association since 2008. “I’m grateful to be in a position to do this.”

Best expects the workshop to be more than worthwhile. The event will feature three main sessions, each including several subtopics. The sessions are “How Do I Know My Fellow is Good Enough,” “Delivering Effective Feedback” and “Planning Your Program’s Future.”

“I hope to walk away knowing I was able to help other coordinators feel more confident in their role in graduate medical education,” Best said. “I also hope to gain perspective on new systematic methods other administrators are using to be more efficient.”

Best, who’s been at UF since 2007, is also the administrator for the nephrology fellowship program in Jacksonville. That program and the GI fellowship program are both part of the department of medicine.

Lorna Matos, division administrator for graduate medical education in the department of medicine, lauds Best for her ability to adjust to the different demands of each program. Matos said that’s especially noteworthy because these programs have changed directors several times during Best’s tenure here.

“I can see how the American Gastroenterological Association would consider her an authority on how to keep a fellowship program running smoothly and efficiently through any crisis,” Matos said. “Donna is a great cheerleader for GME on this campus.”

For information about graduate medical education at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, visit http://www.hscj.ufl.edu/graduate-medical.