DFM Welcomes David Deci, MD, as Medical Student Education Director

The Department of Family Medicine (DFM) extends a warm welcome to David Deci, MD, who on March 9th became its new director of the Office of Medical Student Education (OMSE).

Dr. Deci (pronounced "DEE-see") comes to the DFM from West Virginia University's (WVU) Clark K. Sleeth Department of Family Medicine, where he served as the department's vice chair, director of its third-year family medicine clerkship, and director of its rural scholars program.

A Multifaceted, Hands-On Educator

Dr. Deci brings to the DFM comprehensive, direct experience in medical student and resident education—experience gained not just in the classroom, but also through numerous administrative roles, outreach programs, clinical experiences, and informal activities.

For example, in addition to directing WVU's third-year family medicine clerkship, Dr. Deci also taught first- and second-year medical school courses, oversaw the fourth-year family medicine curriculum, and served as faculty advisor to the family medicine interest group.

In the latter role, Dr. Deci helped facilitate a student-driven outreach effort to offer medical care for unsheltered homeless people in the community. The program, Multidisciplinary Unsheltered Homeless Relief of Morgantown, or MUSHROOM, "not only provided important medical services, but also help develop a network of students and physicians who provide care for unsheltered homeless," he said.

Additionally, Dr. Deci taught in the department's family medicine residency program, directed its health systems management curriculum, and headed its resident recruitment efforts.

From Rural Private Practice to Academics

Before Dr. Deci joined WVU, he had a private family medicine practice in rural Virginia for 15 years. For eight of those 15 years, he also served as a community preceptor for the University of Virginia Department of Family Medicine. Both experiences strongly influence his current career as an academic physician.

"Because I was on the 'other side,' I have a unique appreciation for the important role community preceptors play in medical student education," he said.

"Also, coming from a rural background, I know that family physicians make a huge difference at the community level," he said. "We need to demonstrate that-not just to students going into family medicine, but also to those going into specialty care."

"If there is a better understanding of the partnership between primary care and specialty physicians," he added, "it will lead to better coordinated and more comprehensive care."

Building Relationships Now and Bridges to the Future

Dr. Deci's community-oriented approach was a natural fit with the missions of both the DFM and the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH).

"Not only am I impressed with the people and the learning environment here," he said, "but I'm also honored to be part of the SMPH as it integrates public and community health into its curriculum."

As for his role as medical student education director, Dr. Deci looks forward to forging the relationships needed to further strengthen the DFM's educational opportunities for medical students. Those relationships, he said, "exist between and among students, faculty throughout the state, and community preceptors."

And, most important, those relationships don't end after graduation. "I see myself also as a bridge between medical student education and resident education," he added. "The education process should be seamless. When it is, it benefits everyone."