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Hello NCOM Classes of 2028 and 2029,</div>
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Do you have an interest in developing your leadership skills, meeting new people, and working with some of the best minds in academic medicine? If so, this opportunity is for you! The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) hosts an annual “Learn Serve
Lead” conference in which educators, students, residents, researchers, clinicians, and health system leaders from all over the United States build professional connections, expand collaborations, and engage in meaningful, timely discussions. Would you like
to join them? </div>
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Dr. Lawrence Chin, Dean of the College of Medicine, will fund* (see note) up to four students to participate in the
<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.aamc.org/learn-network/learn-serve-lead__;!!GobTDDpD7A!NRCQIaHCoiMPDHEPwHrYc8PF_d4a1GS1sZRaPosdim_gz76b20Mcs_2aQkR3ViyB3tU4AAmnuQ0jEM4p_6YlKMyXcw$" id="OWA3758fd18-6348-160a-e911-09094ddbda91" class="x_OWAAutoLink" title="https://www.aamc.org/learn-network/learn-serve-lead">
<b>2026 AAMC Learn Serve Lead</b></a> event. </div>
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This year’s event will take place <b>November 6-10, 2026, in Anaheim. CA.</b></div>
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If you are selected to represent the Norton College of Medicine, you will then be eligible to facilitate a lunchtime round table discussion at the meeting. The overarching themes that drive the table topic discussions each year include: </div>
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Climate and Culture Across Academic Medicine </div>
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Value of Academic Health Systems </div>
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Science in Health and Health Care </div>
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Education of Physicians and Scientists </div>
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Vitality of Academic Medicine </div>
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Some of the compelling topics discussed at the past conferences included: racial injustice, health equity, mental health and compassion, climate action, research in medical education, and poverty and its increasing rates. </div>
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If you are interested in attending the 2026 AAMC Learn Serve Lead Conference, please submit an application essay via email to Lori Ferguson at FergusoL@upstate.edu by
<b>4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026</b>. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.</div>
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<b>Your application should include the following</b>:</div>
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A brief statement of interest describing how attending the AAMC Annual Meeting aligns with and supports your career goals.</li><li style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 20px;">
Identification of one of the broad focus areas, along with an explanation of why this topic is important to you.</li><li style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 20px;">
A brief statement demonstrating your understanding of the expectations associated with this role (outlined below).</li></ul>
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<b>Expectations for selected participants</b> <i>(additional details will be reviewed during a required virtual group meeting with Lori Ferguson)</i>:</div>
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Register for the AAMC Learn Serve Lead Conference (registration instructions will be provided).</li><li style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 20px;">
Attend conference sessions each day.</li><li style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 20px;">
Facilitate one roundtable discussion during the conference.</li><li style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 20px;">
Participate in a preparatory facilitation session at Upstate to develop discussion moderation skills.</li><li style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 20px;">
Submit a brief written reflection summarizing the sessions attended and key takeaways.</li></ul>
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*<i>Please note:</i> Selected attendees will be responsible for covering conference-related expenses (registration, travel, lodging, and meals) upfront and will be eligible for reimbursement of up to $2,500 after returning from the conference. Lori Ferguson
will provide guidance to those selected regarding the reimbursement process.</div>
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Additionally, to allow broader participation, individuals who were selected to attend in a previous year are not eligible to apply this year.</div>
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<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">All applicants will be notified of their status by Friday, July 17, 2026. Questions should be directed to Lori Ferguson in Student Affairs at
</span><span style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);"><a href="mailto:FergusoL@upstate.edu" id="OWA2d288587-0ccc-4bd1-782d-da86c006d9df" class="x_Hyperlink x_SCXW46946742 x_BCX0 x_OWAAutoLink" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193); margin: 0px;"><u>FergusoL@upstate.edu</u></a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. </span></div>
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Best wishes!</div>
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~Dean Ruiz</div>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">Robert F. Ruiz</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">Interim Vice President for Educational Services & Dean of Student Affairs</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">Upstate Medical University</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">766 Irving Avenue (1225 Weiskotten Hall)</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">Syracuse, NY 13210</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">Office: 315.464.4816</span></p>
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