Campus News

Cleveland Clinic family medicine chair will speak at health education conference

Dr. John Hickner, chairman of the department of family medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, will speak to a cross-section of faculty members and others in a conference hosted by the university’s ‘s Evidence-Based Program for Health Professions Education at the College of Pharmacy on May 12.

While Hickner continues to see patients, he also is a researcher of patient safety and primary care-quality through the clinic’s soon-to-be-formed Medicine Institute for Research and Innovation. His research will center on patient safety, access to care and promotion of primary care as a career choice for medical students.

Before joining the Cleveland Clinic, Hickner was vice-chair for the University of Chicago’s department of family medicine. After receiving his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine, Hickner completed his residency in family medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina and received a master’s degree in biostatistics and research design from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Hickner will give an 8:45 a.m. presentation entitled “Developing Evidence Through Practice-Based ­Research.” Steven C. Budsberg, director of UGA’s Clinical and Translational Research Office, will be the luncheon speaker.

Breakout sessions will focus on such topics as introduction to evidence-based practice; funding for practice-based research; developing online education for health professionals; designing studies for practice-based research; evidence-based principles for designing continuing education; preparing for interprofessional practice; UGA’s Clinical and Translational Research Office; answering clinical questions when there is no good evidence; and teaching science through clinical cases in medical education. The conference is open to the public. A registration fee of $25 includes breakfast and a boxed lunch.