This December 3, 4 and 5, 2021, IGMA, the International GTA MUTA Association, is hosting its second annual virtual conference, Global Trends in GTA MUTA Education, Past, Present and Future. This association is the only professional organization solely dedicated to GTA MUTA methodology and we provide support, education and networking opportunities for those professionals working in the field. This year’s conference boasts two keynote speakers, a feature presentation, as well as a number of presenters of peer-reviewed abstracts chosen for their high quality and relevance to our work. Topics include racial inequity in health care, diversity, standards of best practice, sexual assault nurse examiner programs and GTA MUTA involvement, a presentation from instructors working in the field, panel discussions, roundtables and social events. If you work in simulation, it is an opportunity you will NOT want to miss. Early bird registration ends soon so register early.  (CE hours available for attendance.)

Here are a few summaries of our presentations and speakers:

Dr. Kellie Bryant is currently the Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs and Simulation and Associate Professor at Columbia School of Nursing’s accredited Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation Center. Dr. Bryant has over 20 years of teaching experience and 10 years of experience as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. Throughout her career she has become an expert in the field of simulation through her experience with designing simulation centers and implementing simulation programs for two of the top-rated nursing schools in the country. In her current role she oversees the day-to-day operations and implementation of simulation-based education for all the graduate nursing and advance practice nursing students. In addition, her role includes implementing initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion for both students and the community. Dr. Bryant also overseas the implementation of the GTA and MUTA labs at Columbia University School of Nursing. Her presentation discusses the impact of racism in healthcare education and strategies to promote health equity. This event is free of charge and open to the public, so register soon. Space is limited.

Dr. Jaideep Talwaker and Dr. Shefali Pathy are both from Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Talwalker is Associate Professor of Internal Medicine (General Medicine); Associate Director, Yale Cystic Fibrosis Adult Program, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine; Associate Program Director, Yale Combined Med-Peds Residency Program; Director of Clinical Skills, Medical Education; Faculty Advisor, Yale Resident Spanish-language Initiative. He is a physician and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine providing primary care for patients of all ages as well as specialty care for adults with cystic fibrosis. He has been involved in Yale’s administrative and educational response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as frontline care on the COVID-19 wards at Yale-New Haven Hospital. In addition to seeing patients, he teaches medical students and residents at Yale and develops curricula for medical education. As Director of Clinical Skills, he oversees the teaching of fundamental bedside skills to Yale medical students. He also edits and administers the Yale Primary Care Pediatrics Curriculum (pcpc.yale.edu), a guide for pediatric teaching used by pediatricians nationwide.

Dr. Shefali Pathy is Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences; Site Director, Women’s Health Sargent Drive; Clerkship Director, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences and is currently the OB/GYN Director of the Women’s Center at Yale New Haven Hospital as well as Assistant Clinical Professor of OB/GYN and the OB/GYN Clerkship Director for Yale School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr Pathy received her medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY where she also completed her OB/GYN residency. Dr Pathy has spent the majority of her career working in an urban health setting, including Jacobi Hospital, Yale New Haven Hospital and Stamford Hospital. She has a strong interest in health care in the urban setting and medical education. Both Dr. Talwalker and Dr. Shefali are presenting information on a video resource on GYN techniques that they have developed and incorporated into their work with their students.

Dr. Olov Grankvist is from Sweden and conducted a research project on GTA methodology. He will be joining the esteemed roster to talk about his research. Liana Hill, is the Forensic Nurse Examiner Program Director for Crisis Services of North Alabama and the Forensic Nurse for the Cullman, Alabama Child Advocacy Center, Brooks Place. She and colleague Gail Swafford will present on using this methodology to train crisis advocates. (Ms. Hill’s organization is also a sponsor of our conference.)  Erin Pollitt is the Executive Director of District of Columbia Forensic Nurse Examiners (DCFNE), a nonprofit in Washington DC that provides trauma-informed, patient-centered care to survivors of sexual, intimate partner, and domestic violence. Sarah Bristol is the Clinical Program Director at DCFNE. Both women are presenting an abstract on implementing a forensic teaching associate program at their institution. Bex MacFife is presenting a study on GTAs and the negotiation of universal standards and individual diversity.  Dr. Lee Ann Miller from West Virginia University, also IGMA’s Standards of Best Practice Chair, will present on the SoBP project being conducted by IGMA in order to develop standards of best practice in the field. Kristie McVicker and Lisa Staubley, are active GTAs in the field and they will present on experiences around safety with students. There are additional panels such as an actor panel and roundtable discussions and networking opportunities. We will also be raffling off product by one of our sponsor, Ceek Women’s Health, and the reusable speculum NuSpec.

Support this organization and our speakers by registering and attending our virtual conference. The content is spectacular and this organization is comprised of volunteers who work tirelessly to support professionals in the field of GTA MUTA methodology. GTAs, Gynecologic Teaching Associates, and MUTAs, Male Urogenital Teaching Associates are lay individuals who train medical learners in safe effective invasive exam clinical skills techniques utilizing their own bodies as primary teaching tools. They are a group of dedicated individuals who make a difference in healthcare by the service they provide. This non-profit organization provides support to them and program directors in the field and provides the latest information on scholarly research in this methodology. Visit www.gtaumuta.org for more information and to register for the conference. Please email admin@gtamuta.org or if you have specific questions regarding the conference content or registration you can email igma.conference@gmail.com We look forward to having you at this event. You will not want to miss it!

The Board of Directors would like to thank the conference sponsors, Solvit providing World Class Tech Support; Clinical Skills USA; Clinical Practice Resources for Training and Education and Crisis Services of North Alabama.  This conference could not occur without you.  The Board would also like to thank our members.  It is because of you that we can provide events like this. Thank you and Welcome everyone to the 2nd annual IGMA conference!!!!!!