The Association of Medical Education Learning Specialists
Upcoming Events
Association of Medical Education Learning Specialists (AMELS)
MELS will foster a community of professionals by providing a forum for discussing best practices and concerns relating to academic support in medical and health professions schools. This mission is accomplished through communication, cooperation, and shared respect among its members by:
- Enhancing the professional development of MELS members.
- Providing service to the profession, i.e., assisting individual members and institutions by providing consultation and programs for professional development.
- Advancing research and understanding, promoting innovation and evidence-based principles of practice.
- Promoting formal and informal relationships and communication among MELS members.
Meet AMELS Leadership
Board of Directors
President of the Board; Hanin Rashid, PhD
Treasurer/ Director; Todd Bates, PhD
Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Secretary/ Director; Arlene Sachs, PhD
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Director; Norma Saks, EdD
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Director; Robert Wallon, PhD
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Steering Committee
Kristen Coppola, PhD; MELS Chair
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Shavonia Wynn, PhD; MELS Past Chair
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Kiely Madhavan, Ph.D; MELS Chair Elect
Creighton University School of Medicine
MaryAnn Grandinetta, M.S.; Member-at-Large, N. east region
University of New York Upstate Medical University
David Williams, PhD; Member-at-Large, Southern region
University of South Alabama
Adeste Sipin, MA; Member-at-Large, Western region
Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
Geoff Thames, PhD; Member-at-Large, Central region
The University of Illinois College of Medicine
Recent News
The Ninth Annual Association of Medical Education Learning Specialists (MELS) Meeting.
Wednesday, November 5th- Friday November 7th, 2025
Marriott San Antonio Airport Hotel
The MELS Annual Meeting is intended to support Learning Specialists in healthcare education at all stages – those just beginning and those who have been offering these types of services for years. This year we are offering a 3-day format. The Annual Meeting will feature a plenary, highlighted speaker, workshops, short communications, table talks, DIG meetings, poster presentations, and networking. In addition to this programming, Wednesday will include a vendor fair with some vendor demonstrations and Thursday will be our annual Social Event.
Registration closes October 1, 2025. Get your tickets soon, the meeting has sold out the past few years.
For more information on how to register, please contact Adeste Sipin: adeste.sipin@unlv.edu
If you are interested in being a Vendor, please contact Crystal Henderson for a prospectus: crystal.hendron@belmont.edu