TERRY WOLPAW, M.D., M.H.P.E
Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs
Major Job Duties
- Provide leadership for the Office of Curricular Affairs for the University Program at the School of Medicine
- Create programs to support the School of Medicine in curriculum development, faculty development, and assessment and evaluation
- Direct the Scholars Collaboration in Teaching and Learning
- Contribute as a practicing rheumatologist at the VA Medical Center
Educational and Professional Experience
- Mount Holyoke College, B.A.
- Case Western Reserve University, M.A., Speech Pathology
- Case Western Reserve University, M.D.
- University Hospitals of Cleveland, Internal Medicine Residency and Fellowship in Rheumatology, 1988-1993
- University of Illinois at Chicago—enrolled in Masters in Health Professionals Education Program
- Speech Pathology positions prior to medical school. Positions following medical training at Cleveland Clinic Foundation and since 1994 at Case Western Reserve University
Scholarly Interests
For the past four to five years, Dr. Wolpaw has focused on the importance of the learner—as opposed to the teacher—in optimizing ambulatory education. In 1998, the American College of Rheumatology created Physician Scholar Educator Awards to allow teachers of Rheumatology more dedicated time to teach, engage in educational research, and mentor medical students. The award provided substantial salary support and allowed Dr. Wolpaw to develop as a physician educator. Since then, she has engaged in research on a learner-centered model of interaction in the physician’s office: “SNAPPS: a learner-centered method for ambulatory education.” The next step—to test the model in a randomized controlled study—currently serves as the project for her Master’s thesis. Because of her interest in developing learners along with faculty, Dr. Wolpaw directs the Scholars Collaboration in Teaching and Learning initiative at the School of Medicine that pairs teachers and students in a faculty development program. Her personal goal is to share the excitement and fulfilling work of ongoing curriculum innovation and change at Case. Dr. Wolpaw feels fortunate to be able to work with the dedicated team comprising the Office of Curricular Affairs as well as the many other committed individuals throughout the School of Medicine.
Personal Background and Interests
Dr. Wolpaw was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Following college, she taught for a year at a preparatory school for boys in Gloucestershire, England. She returned to marry her husband (a medical student at Case at that time) and to study Speech Pathology. She loved speech pathology but somehow could not see herself growing old with it. The importance of strong relationships with patients and work with interdisciplinary teams led her to consider medicine and to begin pre-med coursework. In 1983, with two sons aged 2 and 3½ and a very supportive spouse, Dr. Wolpaw began medical school. A third son was born just after third year clerkships, and in 1993, she finally completed all her training. Shortly after starting her first position as a rheumatologist, Dr. Wolpaw was asked to return to University Hospitals/VA Medical Center to become a physician educator. She became increasingly involved with medical students and participated in all levels of medical student education, including the basic science curriculum as well as clinical rotations. As internal medicine clerkship director, Dr. Wolpaw spearheaded the development of an interdepartmental teaching collaborative. While on sabbatical, she began a Master’s degree in Medical Education that will continue to challenge her for the next few years as she completes her thesis research. Dr. Wolpaw is grateful to have had “the great honor of developing and expanding the Office of Curricular Affairs alongside an extraordinary team of individuals whose primary goal is to participate in and support all aspects of medical education at Case.”
Contact Information:
E-mail: txw34@case.edu, Terry.Wolpaw@case.edu
Phone: 216-368-6986
Fax: 216-368-5125
Case School of Medicine, Room T402 |
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