In this episode of MedEd Thread, we talk with Dr. Zenab Laiq, cardiologist and cardiac imaging specialist at Cleveland Clinic's Akron General Hospital, Dr. Samuel Wiles, pulmonary critical care physician and associate program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Cleveland Clinic's Akron General Hospital, and Dr. Vasu Gupta, internal medicine resident and chief resident at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, about the development of an innovative focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) curriculum for internal medicine residents. They discuss how simulation, online learning, case-based instruction and hands-on practice were combined to address a training gap, improve resident confidence and enhance bedside diagnostic skills. The guests also share lessons learned from implementation and their vision for expanding point-of-care ultrasound education across specialties to advance both medical education and patient care.

In this episode of MedEd Thread, we talk with Dr. Linda Gardner, Senior Director of Nursing Education and Professional Development at Cleveland Clinic, and Theresa Russo, Program Manager for Nursing Education, about Launchpad to Nursing Bootcamp, an innovative pipeline program designed to introduce middle and high school students to careers in nursing. They discuss how immersive, hands-on experiences, simulation activities, and mentorship opportunities help students explore the realities of nursing, develop healthcare knowledge, and envision future careers in the profession. The conversation also addresses the growing nursing shortage, the importance of early career exposure, and Cleveland Clinic’s efforts to build a sustainable nursing workforce through engaging educational pathways. Tune in to learn how Launchpad to Nursing is helping spark interest in healthcare careers and inspiring the next generation of nurses.

In this episode of MedEd Thread, we talk with Loren Hackett, Medical Librarian at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital, and Michelle Kraft, Director of Library Services for the Cleveland Clinic Health System, to discuss Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America by Kate Washington. Through the Hillcrest Book Club, they explore the emotional toll of caregiving, the challenges faced by families navigating complex healthcare needs and the importance of empathy, communication and support for caregivers. The discussion highlights how literature can deepen understanding of burnout and inspire more compassionate, patient- and family-centered care. Tune in to learn how storytelling can help healthcare professionals better understand the caregiver experience.

In this episode of MedEd Thread, we speak with Loren Hackett, Medical Librarian at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital, and Michelle Kraft, Director of Library Services for the Cleveland Clinic Health System, about the growing role of fiction-based book clubs in medical education. They discuss how shared reading and discussion can foster empathy, encourage reflection, promote wellness and create spaces for exploring complex issues such as addiction, grief, identity and bias. The conversation also highlights how book clubs help break down hierarchy, strengthen interprofessional connections and deepen understanding of the patient experience. Tune in to learn how storytelling and literature can serve as powerful tools for professional growth, humanistic learning and compassionate patient care.

In this episode of MedEd Thread, we talk with Michelle Kraft, Director of Library Services, and Olivia Davis, Medical Librarian, about the growing impact of health misinformation on medical education and patient care. They discuss the differences between misinformation and disinformation, how social media and AI contribute to the spread of false information, and the risks posed by AI-generated “hallucinations,” bias, and fabricated sources. The conversation also highlights the evolving role of librarians in teaching critical evaluation skills, promoting strategies like the SIFT method, and helping learners navigate an increasingly complex information landscape. Tune in to learn how healthcare professionals and learners can build stronger critical thinking skills to identify trustworthy information and protect the integrity of clinical decision-making.

In this episode of MedEd Thread, we speak with Brian Peacock, Assistant Professor and Program Director of Physician Assistant Studies at Wake Forest University, about using gamification to enhance interprofessional education. Brian explains a virtual escape room model that brings together multiple healthcare disciplines to build teamwork, improve communication and deepen understanding of roles and social determinants of health through interactive, game‑based learning. Tune in to learn how gamification is creating more engaging and collaborative training for future healthcare teams.

In this episode of MedEd Thread, we speak with Dr. Jeremy Lipman, Director of Graduate Medical Education and Designated Institutional Official, Dr. Judith French, Educational Specialist and Vice Chair of Education in the Department of General Surgery, and Dr. Pooja Varman, General Surgery Resident and Surgical Education Research Fellow, about evolving approaches to resident and fellow selection. They explore the shift from score‑based screening to holistic review, the impact of virtual interviews and application volume and emerging strategies such as program signaling, audition rotations and potential uses of AI. Together, the guests share perspectives from leadership, education research and trainee experiences to highlight how programs can better align selection processes with program culture, learner fit and long‑term success. Tune in to learn how graduate medical education is rethinking recruitment to better support trainees, programs and patient care.

In this episode of MedEd Thread, we talk with Michael Simon, Enterprise Emergency Medical Services Education Manager, about how simulation‑based learning is advancing EMS education across Northeast Ohio. Michael describes Cleveland Clinic’s physician‑led, hands on simulation model, which replaces traditional lectures with high‑fidelity scenarios that build clinical skills, teamwork and real world readiness for EMS providers. He also discusses scaling education across more than 100 agencies and explores emerging innovations such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence in pre‑hospital training. Tune in to learn how simulation is helping prepare EMS professionals to deliver high‑quality care when seconds matter most.