Whiddon College of Medicine presents innovative accreditation model at AAMC regional conference
Posted on June 25, 2026 by Marketing and Communications
Melisa Pierce, Ed.D., MPA, executive director of accreditation and continuous quality
improvement, and David S. Williams, Ph.D., MPA, assistant dean for institutional and
academic success, recently presented at the Association of American Medical Colleges’
Southern Group on Educational Affairs Conference in New Orleans.
During the meeting, they shared the Whiddon College of Medicine's innovative approach to accreditation and continuous quality improvement with colleagues from across the region.
Their poster highlighted the college’s model for managing the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) Data Collection Instrument. The approach incorporates stakeholder collaboration, student feedback, accreditation readiness monitoring, project management tools, and data visualization strategies to support continuous institutional improvement and ongoing accreditation readiness.
“Many medical schools are navigating increasingly complex accreditation requirements while working to maintain meaningful stakeholder engagement and a culture of continuous improvement,” Pierce said. “Our presentation focused on practical strategies that can help institutions manage those challenges more effectively.”
The presentation also provided an opportunity to showcase the leadership of the Office of Accreditation and Planning and the Whiddon College of Medicine within the accreditation and quality improvement community.
“Sharing our experiences allows us to contribute to important conversations about accreditation readiness, stakeholder engagement, and continuous quality improvement in medical education,” Pierce said. “We hope the lessons we've learned can help other institutions strengthen their own processes while continuing to improve the educational experience for students.”
According to Timothy Gilbert, Ed.D., associate dean for accreditation and planning, presentations such as these advance the college's strategic goals by increasing its visibility and influence within the medical education community.
“Scholarship and professional engagement activities like this allow us to share the expertise of our faculty and staff with colleagues across the country while highlighting the innovative work taking place at the Whiddon College of Medicine,” Gilbert said. “These opportunities not only strengthen our national reputation but also demonstrate our commitment to excellence in accreditation, continuous quality improvement, and medical education.”