A for Effort: One Professor’s Devotion to Her Students
This Einstein SHOUTout! goes to Dr. Amanda Raff, professor of medicine, in the division of nephrology, for her tireless efforts in providing a quality education to her students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
![Dr. Raff teaching in the lower education center, pre-COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings]()
Dr. Raff teaching in the lower education center, pre-COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings
When classes first shifted to remote learning, Dr. Raff—who is a member of Einstein’s class of 1998—found ways to make her Renal System course as thorough and engaging as ever for her students. At the start of the outbreak, Dr. Raff wasn’t sure if facilitators would be available to lead group sessions. To be sure needed ground would be covered, she recorded numerous videos of herself presenting clinical cases and providing briefings for her students to use while working in groups.
“Dr. Raff’s response to the educational restraints caused by COVID-19 was exceptional,” said Dr. Adi Pinkas, assistant professor of anatomy and structural biology. “Since she couldn’t readily know if enough facilitators would be available, she was ready to go all-in by herself to teach her students remotely. I’m not sure how many professors, if any, are able or willing to do what Dr. Raff did, and so successfully.”
Dr. Josh Nosanchuk, senior associate dean of medical education agreed. “Amanda’s efforts are truly incredible, and her actions highlight the profound dedication of our faculty to the education of our students. She is an amazing clinician, basic science course educator, and clerkship director for Internal Medicine, and also is serving as acting internship director for Internal Medicine.”
A Natural Born Leader
Since joining the Einstein faculty in 2004, Dr. Raff has served for many years as the director of the Renal Systems course for both first-year medical students and the third-year medicine clerkship. She receives consistent praise from faculty and students alike for the patient-centered focus of her lesson plans.
“Dr. Raff is one of the few course directors who can still recruit a large number of facilitators for group sessions, which is a rare commodity these days,” noted Dr. Pinkas. “The people she recruits are always well-prepared and highly motivated, which shows how good of a leader she is.”
![An example of Dr. Raff's Zoom offerings during the shift to virtual learning required by the COVID-19 pandemic]()
An example of Dr. Raff's Zoom offerings during the shift to virtual learning required by the COVID-19 pandemic
An Educator to Admire
Dr. Raff’s inspirational methods both inside and outside the classroom netted her the Samuel M. Rosen Award for Outstanding Teaching (pre-clerkship) in 2009 and the Harry Eagle Award for Outstanding Pre-Clerkship in 2013. She’s also among the honorees for teaching awards at this year’s commencement, this time for the Harry H. Gordon Award for Outstanding Clinical Teaching.
In addition to her teaching duties at Einstein, Dr. Raff’s clinical focus is treating patients with chronic kidney disease. Her current research concerns educational innovations made during the Renal Course and student involvement in consults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If you look at all of Dr. Raff’s responsibilities, both clinical and educational, you’ll immediately be able to appreciate any work she puts into her course,” said Dr. Pinkas. “She is constantly working to make things even better!”
Even in these difficult times, Dr. Raff manages to go above and beyond the call of duty. Her actions and dedication are something we all can applaud!
Posted on: Thursday, July 02, 2020