"True measures of competency are essential to both medical training and practice."
Linda Lanier, MD
Realizing the emergence of medical imaging as fundamental to patient care and acutely aware that existing medical student curricula in the 1980s lacked education in diagnostic imaging, Dr. Lanier asked for, and was assigned, the task of creating a required curriculum in Diagnostic Imaging for Medical Students at UF. The curriculum included credit based, required coursework in imaging at the basic science level, required scope rounds during clinical rotations, and 9 electives in imaging for seniors, all taught by radiologists. This model was the first of its kind in the country and was shared at the national level with other radiologist educators (AAMC, AUR, AMSER).
In 2010, Dr. Lanier became part of the formative team of the WIDI Project (“Wisdom in Diagnostic Imaging”©) an innovative, web-based, educational and assessment tool created by the UF Department of Radiology, led by Dr. Anthony Mancuso. Dr. Lanier’s primary focus since that time has been to serve as lead architect, educational designer, and content author in the development of the “Emergent/Critical Care Imaging Simulation©”, now WIDI-SIM©, a true-to-life competency assessment tool currently in its 7th year of use at programs across the country. She has worked closely with co-author, Dr. Sistrom, who has designed systems for the accumulation, organization, and analysis of data, and with other faculty who have provided cases and subspecialty expertise. The “Simulation” assesses competencies in Observation, Interpretation, Knowledge, and Communication skills, and provides opportunities to identify personal, programmatic, and universal knowledge gaps. Once identified, users are able to re-educate or improve skills via the “WIDI Learn©” platform… thus completing the educational cycle and helping professionals move toward greater competency and a higher quality of patient care.
Dr. Lanier served as the course director for the courses offered at the University of Florida and its affiliate PIMS, the budding Florida State Medical School, until 1999. During this time, she was awarded 3 “Teacher of the Year” Awards at UF, 1 “Teacher of the Year” Award at FSU, several resident teaching awards, and the prestigious campus-wide “TIP Award” for teaching excellence at the University of Florida. She was selected to be a charter member of the “Society of Teaching Scholars” at the College of Medicine and served on the Board for the Master’s Program in Medical Education. The supporting, interactive electronic textbook created for the first year course “Radiologic Anatomy©” (Lanier, Rathe, Seymour), won several technical and educational awards and was the founding component of the “Integrated Medical Curriculum©, published by Gold Standard Multimedia, Inc. in 1992. In 1994, she became an Associate Professor. From 1992-1998, Dr. Lanier worked part time with GSM as Executive Producer developing web based educational tools and working with authors, nationally and internationally, to develop interactive digital and web-based medical texts. GSM was subsequently purchased by Elsevier, and the Integrated Medical Curriculum was licensed by DxR Development.
From 1992-2010, Dr. Lanier served in a variety of Administrative roles at UF in addition to teaching and clinical work. She served on all of the “triad of fundamental committees” for the College of Medicine (Admissions, Academic Status, Curriculum), and was selected by the Dean to serve as Chairman of the Medical Selection-Admissions Committee and subsequently as Chair of the Academic Status Committee, for several years. A mammographer, she also served at the Medical Director of “Park Avenue Imaging Center” from 1996-1999. In 2003-2005, Dr. Lanier authored two grants from RSNA and worked closely with co-authors (Dr. Chris Sistrom and Dr. Richard Rathe) to develop “The Curriculum in Radiology Reporting©” an interactive web-based program that is still in use to help improve reporting and communication skills for residents. From 2002-2005, Dr. Lanier was invited to serve on USMLE Step 1 Committee in Philadelphia to help augment/improve the boards by including Diagnostic Imaging in the exam items. She also served on several national committees in imaging education, including the Committee on Teaching in Radiology (AUR). In 2004, Dr. Lanier became the “Associate Chairman of Community Clinical Radiology Services” for UF and was the “Radiology Medical Director” for 5 community hospitals affiliated with the University of Florida/Shands Hospital system, now UF Health.