GLFHC Staff Attend Conference about Strengthening Clinical Education
GLFHC staff members attended the Teaching of Tomorrow (TOT) Conference on November 14 and 15, a two-day intensive program designed to strengthen clinical teaching and precepting skills. The staff attending were:
- Catherine Cruz, RN, Charge Nurse
- Maria Mendoza, RN
- Alma Oñate Muñoz, MD
- Gabriela Melendez, RN, Charge Nurse
- Ashley Hall, BS, MS, Merrimack Valley AHEC Director
This training brought together clinical educators from across New England to share best practices, build teaching confidence, and explore innovative approaches to learner-centered education. Throughout the conference, our staff engaged in sessions on:
- Characteristics of high-quality clinical teaching
- Educational planning using theoretical frameworks
- Promoting resilience and wellness among both learners and educators
- Recognizing and addressing unconscious bias in clinical education
- Breakout workshops on active learning, engaging diverse learning styles, effective modeling, and even the emerging role of AI in clinical teaching
Our attendees found the program especially valuable because it blended evidence-based teaching models with practical tools that can be used immediately with learners across GLFHC sites. The collaborative breakout groups allowed for rich discussion with educators facing similar challenges, and the focus on resilience and equity reinforced our own organizational priorities.
This professional development opportunity grew out of our ongoing partnership with the Mass AHEC Network and Merrimack College as part of the New England Nursing Preceptor Academy. Their support continues to expand access to high-quality training for our current and future preceptors.
This November session was just part one of the program. All of the attendees are looking forward to Part 2 in March, continuing education through webinars, precepting students, and applying the information learned to our practice in the clinic.
Pictured from left to right are: Catherine Cruz, RN, Charge Nurse; Maria Mendoza, RN; Alma Oñate Muñoz, MD; Gabriela Melendez, RN, Charge Nurse; and Ashley Hall, BS, MS, Merrimack Valley AHEC Director.