What We Do
Promote, enhance, and evaluate the effectiveness of learning communities in undergraduate medical education
Our Mission
We promote the creation and implementation of learning communities within undergraduate medical education.
The Learning Communities Institute (LCI) facilitates the role of Learning Communities in humanizing the medical education experience and preparing future doctors to lead with empathy, resilience, and a vision for a more equitable and connected healthcare environment.
We bring together students, faculty, and staff from medical schools to foster the development and enhancement of Learning Communities and to promote innovation and collaboration across institutions in an inclusive, relationship-centered environment that fosters wellness, longitudinal relationships, mentorship, and meaningful connection.
Our Vision
A future where all medical schools cultivate deeply connected, inclusive communities that elevate the well-being of learners and educators, foster enduring mentorship, and produce physicians who lead with empathy and equity. Through shared knowledge, core principles, and cross-institutional collaboration, learning communities will enrich medical education and help shape a more compassionate, connected healthcare environment.
What is a Learning Community
Learning communities (LCs) are intentionally designed groups of students, faculty, and/or staff who are actively engaged in learning with and from each other. LCs are sustained by cultivating collaborative partnerships, shared emotional connection, and a sense of membership and influence.
What We Do
Learning communities have become a common structure in the education of health professionals, providing the following benefits:
-
Continuity of teaching and mentoring, which enhances the personal and professional growth of learners.
-
Positive health care learning environments that reinforce professionalism, humanism, and well-being.
-
Broad positive impact on medical education stakeholders including students, faculty, and patients.
Organizational Structure
The Learning Communities Institute (LCI) organizational structure is made up of faculty, staff, and students from across our member institutions.
Leadership
LCI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee consists of the LCI Chairperson, Chair-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Immediate Past-Chairperson. The Executive Committee is responsible for setting the overall direction of the LCI’s work. The Executive Committee meets monthly.
LCI LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
The LCI Leadership Council is constituted of the Executive Committee, standing committee chairs, and two (2) members-at-large. Through the committees, the Council implements the day-to-day work of the LCI. The Leadership Council meets monthly.
LCI BOARD OF GOVERNORS
The Board of Governors consists of all previous and current LCI Chairpersons and Chair-Elect. The purpose of The Board is to guide the LCI to keep true to the mission of the organization. The Board will have no voting power but will guide through advisement through recommendations made to the Executive Committee.
Committees
ADMINISTRATOR & PROFESSIONAL STAFF
This committee is responsible for providing a forum for administrators and professional staff affiliated with medical school learning communities. Efforts are to collaborate with other LCI member institutions and to support learning, engagement and leadership, and program development and management.
ANNUAL MEETING PLANNING
The Annual Meeting Program Committee shall be responsible for planning and organizing the LCI Annual Meeting and the selection of annual awards.
MEMBERSHIP
The Membership Committee is responsible for evaluating the needs of the membership and recommending appropriate ways to meet those needs. The committee develops methods and programs for active membership recruitment and retention.
MEMBERS AT LARGE
The Members At Large Committee is responsible for providing perspective, feedback and suggestions to the LCI Council about the topics and initiatives brought forth at LCI Council meetings. The Members At Large Committee members also identify potential gaps in current council initiatives and may work on special projects as needed.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Professional Development Committee will curate educational resources for members on the LCI website. The committee develops methods and programs to foster and guide individual faculty and institutions interested in initiating or improving learning communities, both by connecting them with experienced members of the LCI and through a partnership with the Annual Meeting Planning team.
The Research Committee is a multi-institutional network of LCI member representatives from all interested LCI member institutions to collaborate across institutions in building an evidence base for studying the impact of learning communities in medical education.
STUDENT COUNCIL
The Student Council is responsible for providing a forum for student members to collaborate with each other and with faculty to support learning, engagement, and leadership development in learning communities. The Student Council Committee also represents student opinions and needs related to Learning Communities and the activities of the LCI.
WEB AND COMMUNICATION
The Web and Communication Committee is responsible for creating and maintaining a website for the LCI as a central resource for information pertaining to learning communities in medical schools.
About our Annual Meeting
The Learning Communities Institute (LCI) Annual Meeting is a 2-3 day conference, hosted by a member institution. Meeting activities happen in and around the educational spaces on campus. This not only helps us keep costs down but also gives attendees the opportunity to see other medical school facilities. Each meeting features a keynote/plenary presentation; interactive workshops and oral presentations; and a poster session. Time is also built into the schedule for social gatherings and learning community small groups to debrief conference content. There are opportunities to learn about the LCI organization and how to get involved, as well as targeted support for new or in-development learning communities.
