Health Professions Education Special Interest Group of the Society for Medical Anthropology
Our mission is: “To support anthropologists in making a positive and lasting impact on medical and health professions education by creating an organizational space that nurture’s healthy professional identity, promoting lifelong career advancement, and serve as a representative voice for anthropology among the health professions and the public.”
Chair: Dennis Wiedman, Ph.D.. Email: sma.sig.hpe@gmail.com
Professor Emeritus of Anthropology. Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies
Florida International University. Miami, FL Email: wiedmand@fiu.edu
Co-Chair: Iveris Marinez, Ph.D. Email: iveris.martinez@csulb.edu
Professor & Archstone Foundation Endowed Chair
College of Health and Human Services
California State University, Long Beach, CA.
Co-Chair: Celeste Pang, Ph.D. Email: ncpang@mtroyal.ca
Assistant Professor in Women’s and Gender Studies
Mount Royal University. Calgary, Canada.
Web: https://celestepang.ca/
About
The SMA Health Professions Education Special 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 new 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 Working Groups that develop action plans to address critical issues for anthropologists in the health professions. Initiatives raise awareness of the issues to the HPE members, the profession, and the public.
Goals
- 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.
- Enhance education and training for the teaching of anthropological perspectives to medical and health professionals on the continuum from undergraduate education to professional development.
- Share resources on related education research, training, career opportunities, and policy matters.
- Affiliate with organizations to collaborate on mutual topics and priorities.
- Provide direction and guidance for representatives of anthropology in professional health organizations, accrediting bodies, etc.
- Maintain a recognized professional organizational voice on educational and public policy issues.
- Advocate the presence of anthropological perspectives on professional school entrance examinations, certifications, and licensing examinations.
- Formalize the representation of anthropologists on medical and health professional boards, committees, and special initiatives at the local, state, national, and international levels.
- Recommend curriculum for anthropology graduate programs training students for careers in medicine and the health professions.
- Promote the representation of anthropologists on accreditation bodies to legitimize the employment of anthropologists in medical and health professions teaching roles.
Co-founders Dennis Wiedman and Iveris Martinez were invited to form this SIG by the SMA Executive Board following the 2021 publication of their edited book “Anthropology in Medical Education: Sustaining Engagement and Impact.” Chapter authors described various ways in which anthropologists have engaged in training physicians in various countries of the world, as well as potential new directions for anthropological engagement with medicine. Identified critical issues became the stimulus and foundational ideas for the SMA Health Professions Education SIG.
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 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 with being a part of this new endeavor to enhance the careers and influence of anthropologists in the health professions is greatly appreciated.
Contact Us
For more information contact:
Chair: Dennis Wiedman, Ph.D. Email: sma.sig.hpe@gmail.com
Professor Emeritus of Anthropology.
Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies
Florida International University. Miami, FL Email: wiedmand@fiu.edu
Co-Chair: Iveris Martinez, Ph.D. Email: iveris.martinez@csulb.edu
Professor & Archstone Foundation Endowed Chair.
College of Health and Human Services
California State University, Long Beach, CA.
Co-Chair: Celeste Pang, Ph.D. Email: ncpang@mtroyal.ca
Assistant Professor in Women’s and Gender Studies
Mount Royal University. Calgary, Canada.
Web: https://celestepang.ca/