Academic Affairs

The Department of Academic Affairs provides support to all of Trinity Health Of New England's hospitals and medical groups, coordinating relationships with over 200 educational institutions; on-boarding more than 3000 diverse learners; and ensuring quality education programs, through faculty development, research development, simulation programs and medical libraries.

Our Vision

As an Independent Academic Health Center, Trinity Health Of New England is the preferred educational venue for interprofessional training of compassionate clinicians. 

• Our trainees become colleagues
• We deliver excellent educational experiences - in conjunction with excellent patient experience
• We provide support and recognition for all educators
• We are recognized as a leader in academic excellence throughout Trinity Health

Fast Facts

Medical Education Highlights

Undergraduate Medical Education

• Saint Francis Hospital holds the unique position of teaching medical students from both Quinnipiac University's Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine and the UCONN School of Medicine.
• A faculty summit brought together leaders and faculty from both schools to strengthen collaborative efforts to ensure educational excellence for all learners. Clinical Department Chairs and clerkship and residency faculty identified novel ways to teach clinicians of the future.

Graduate Medical Education

• Saint Francis Hospital holds the unique position of teaching medical students from both Quinnipiac University's Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine and the UCONN School of Medicine
• A faculty summit brought together leaders and faculty from both schools to strengthen collaborative efforts to ensure educational excellence for all learners. Clinical Department Chairs and clerkship and residency faculty identified novel ways to teach clinicians of the future

Simulation

Over 1,800 learners have participated in various forms of multidisciplinary training. A vast catalog of curriculum has been developed and implemented for residents, medical students, physician assistants, physicians, and supporting roles in the areas of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emergency Medicine, Graduate Nurse Residency, Anesthesiology, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Cardiology, Radiology, Trauma, NICU, EMT, and Nutrition.

The simulation program has expanded to the regional hospitals, serving an additional 300 RNs, Physicians, PAs, and CNAs. Various simulation scenarios have included shoulder dystocia, pediatric resuscitation, Code Blue training, quantitative blood loss, malignant hyperthermia, and lipid rescue. Mitigating risk through system-wide education leads to fewer adverse events and lends to system wide adoption of evidence based care standards and protocols.

Simulation is often used for high risk/low frequency events, with significant focus on team communication and workflow. Food and Nutrition undergoes simulation training on positive patient interactions and the Simulation Program is conducting research utilizing simulation to aid with difficult conversations and advanced care planning/end of life situations.

Innovation and Learning

The Innovation and Learning Center continues to provide an invaluable learning space that enables collaboration with our educators to develop creative learning methodologies and instruction.

• This year, over 1,300 educational events were held in the Innovation and Learning Center 
• 57 training videos were were added to the Innovation and Learning Center's existing library of over 200 videos

Connecticut Institute for Primary Care Innovation (CIPCI)

CIPCI continues to serve as a national leader in primary care transformation. Through a collaboration with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), CIPCI has presented at the interactive Office of the Future, a museum-like, hands-on exhibit at FMX, showcasing new technologies, designs, and workflows for primary care.

CIPCI engages staff from Family Medical Center at Asylum Hill Family Medicine and students from the Quinnipiac University's Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine and the UCONN School of Medicine as exhibit tour guides, providing the chance to present at a national conference and gain exposure to exciting new concepts and tools.

Research