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HPE

Health Professions Education Section Interest Group of the Society for Medical Anthropology

Our mission is to: “Advance anthropology as a core discipline in health professions education by fostering its integration into healthcare training, practice, and policy-making.”

Our vision is to: “Provide global leadership in health professions education by facilitating transformative learning experiences through culturally informed, science-based healthcare practices.”

Co-Chair: Jerome Crowder, Ph.D.
Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Behavioral and Social Science
U.Houston, Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
JCrowder@UH.edu

Co-Chair: Carolyn Smith-Morris, Ph.D., M.Ed., LPC
Professor and Chair (Interim), Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences
O’Donnell School of Public Health, U. Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Carolyn.Smith-Morris@UTSouthwestern.edu

Co-Chairs Email: Sma.sig.hpe@gmail.com

About

The SMA Health Professions Education Section Interest Group (SMA HPE SIG) was approved by the Executive Board of the Society for Medical Anthropology on November 11, 2022.  

A formal organization within the AAA and SMA, this interest group is a positive step in guiding and supporting the value of anthropology in medical and health professions education. To be inclusive, people from all countries of the world are welcome to join: students, health practitioners, university professors, and those interested in influencing health professions with anthropology perspectives, methods, and information. Members do not need to be a member of the AAA or SMA.

The SMA HPE SIG carries out its goals and engages members through a variety of Working Groups addressing critical issues for anthropologists in the health professions, a series of virtual webinars and conversations, and robust communications within and beyond academic settings to sites of health professions training and education around the globe.

Goals

  1. Create a professional organizational space for anthropologists and those interested in medical and health professions education to continue their affiliation with the discipline of anthropology.
  2. Enhance education and training for the teaching of anthropological perspectives to medical, public health, and health professionals on the continuum from undergraduate education to professional development. 
  3. Share resources on related education research, training, career opportunities, and policy matters that most benefit from anthropological methods and perspectives.
  4. Affiliate with organizations to collaborate on mutual topics and priorities.
  5. Provide direction and guidance for representatives of anthropology in professional health organizations, accrediting bodies, etc. 
  6. Maintain a recognized professional organizational voice on educational and public policy issues. 
  7. Advocate the presence of anthropological perspectives on professional school entrance examinations, certifications, and licensing examinations.
  8. Formalize the representation of anthropologists on medical, public health, and health professional boards, committees, and special initiatives at the local, state, national, and international levels.
  9. Recommend curriculum for anthropology graduate programs training students for careers in medicine and the health professions.
  10. Promote the representation of anthropologists on accreditation bodies to legitimize the employment of anthropologists in medical and health professions teaching roles.

The HPE SIG was formed in 2022 by co-founders Dennis Wiedman and Iveris Martinez.

Membership

We welcome people from all countries of the world: students, health practitioners, university faculty , and those interested in bringing together the health professions and anthropology perspectives, methods, and information. Members do not need to be registered members of the American Anthropological Association (AAA), or the Society for Medical Anthropology (SMA). There is no membership fee. 

To join the SMA Health Professions Education SIG, sign-up using this Google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDZYhB38v_intXeYUjgc10j0Wacd-ksfv3KBNp-0jOe1hfCA/viewform?usp=pp_url

Once you complete the sign-up form you will be invited to join the HPE listserv where you can learn about SIG activities, upcoming events, training programs, relevant information, and actively engage and dialog with members. 

Your interest and enthusiasm to enhance the careers and influence of anthropologists in the health professions is greatly appreciated. 

Contact Us

For more information contact:

Co-Chair: Jerome Crowder, Ph.D.
Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Behavioral and Social Science
U.Houston, Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
JCrowder@UH.edu

Co-Chair: Carolyn Smith-Morris, Ph.D., M.Ed., LPC
Professor and Chair (Interim), Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences
O’Donnell School of Public Health, U. Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Carolyn.Smith-Morris@UTSouthwestern.edu

Co-Chairs Email: Sma.sig.hpe@gmail.com