Graduate Medical Education Programs

The Rector CSSC develops, produces and evaluates simulation components of the graduate medical education curriculum. In working with the Dean of the Medical College, specifically the assistant Dean of GME, John Kairys, MD, and with our Director of Surgical Simulation, Carmen Sultana, MD, the Rector CSSC team has developed, supported, evolved many simulation-based teaching and evaluation programs that cover the scope of the clinical core competencies delineated by the ACGME.

Key Points in GME Simulation Curriculum

Over 200 interns, residents and fellows from Jefferson-affiliated programs use the Rector CSSC on a regular basis
The Rector CSSC provides a standardized skills attainment program for many invasive skills required to practice in the hospital
The RCSSC uses the Core clinical competencies as delineated by the ACGME and by the American College of Surgeons to outline our objectives
The Rector CSSC has developed a mechanism to provide recurrent structured practice of these skills in a simulated environment with faculty supervision and mentoring
Almost every residency program at Jefferson has a simulation component to their curriculum, the Rector CSSC supports each of them

Examples of GME Programs

Surgery, ED, OB/GYN, surgical subspecialty and Internal medicine residency skills session during orientation. These interns used the Rector CSSC for skills attainment, in the simulated environment, the skills of IJ line placement with ultrasound, subclavian line placement, femoral line placement, thoracentesis, lumbar puncture, arterial line placement, NG tube placement, ABG, Foleys, suturing and IV lines. Also have sessions on scrubbing, hand washing and sterile gowning. Faculty from each department and the Rector CSSC used standardized checklists, multimedia, manikins and supplies to attain these skills.
Scheduled sessions for interns and residents in general surgery, ENT, OB/GYN for skills attainment on the laparoscopy and upper and lower airway endoscopy simulators. Airway management skills are also taught during these sessions. These are supported by the staff of the Rector CSSC and are all faculty-mediated. Usually on Thursday mornings or afternoons
Scheduled structured/deliberate practice sessions on Thursday mornings for the surgical interns to practice these skills (IJ line placement with ultrasound, subclavian line placement, femoral line placement, thoracentesis, lumbar puncture, arterial line placement, NG tube placement, ABG, Foleys, suturing and IV lines) in the RCSSC. Also structured practice for senior level surgical residents on the high-fidelity models. These are supported by the staff of the UCSSC and are all faculty-mediated.
Weekly physical examination rounds by Rector CSSC faculty for interns in Internal Medicine. Run by Joseph Majdan, MD and Dale Berg, MD. These last 2 hours, at the hospital, every Friday morning. Translating simulation to the bedside.
Critical event Simulation teaching. Anesthesiology simulation for anesthesiology residents using Simman every week (faculty: Vince Franze, MD)and a program Emergency department simulation for ED residents using Simman and other low and high fidelity simulators (faculty: Ron Hall, MD).

Contact Info

Dale Berg, MD
(215) 503-4232

Katherine Berg, MD
(215) 503-4234

Joseph Majdan, MD
(215) 503-4226

Carmen Sultana, MD
(215) 955-5000

Carol Trent
(215) 955-4483