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Faculty Earn Prestigious Teaching Roles in Pitt School of Medicine

"Headshots of the four department faculty"
Left to right: Drs. Michael Best, William McIvor, Huong-Tram Duran, and Alexander Praslick

Our following faculty members have been appointed to prestigious teaching roles in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Michael W. Best, MD, FASA, Maj, USAFR, and William R. McIvor, MD, FASA, were appointed as Longitudinal Educators. Longitudinal Educators are small group facilitators who teach cohorts of nine to 10 medical students foundational science content such as histology, immunology, and biochemistry; organ system integrated content like pulmonary, rheumatology, and endocrinology; and key threads/themes like social medicine, critical reasoning, and leadership. 

Dr. Best was also appointed as a Clinical Skills Preceptor. Clinical Skills Preceptors teach clinical skills longitudinally to groups of five to six medical students, focusing on interviewing, exam skills, procedures, and other patient centered care content, both at Scaife Hall and at hospital/clinic sites. 

Huong-Tram Duran, MD, and Alexander D. Praslick, MD, were appointed as Student Coaches. Student Coaches support first and second year medical students who are having academic challenges, providing structure and accountability in a longitudinal, nonjudgmental, supportive relationship and assisting with goal setting, increasing efficiency, time management, and accountability.

Congratulations to Drs. Best, Duran, McIvor, and Praslick for achieving these distinguished appointments!