Med-Peds Patient Advocacy and Community Engagement (PACE) Committee
The Med-Peds Patient Advocacy and Community Engagement (PACE) Committee is committed to building a healthcare system that is accessible, acceptable, and effective for all.
Our efforts center around five key pillars: attracting and representing the best talent, providing comprehensive education and training, cultivating a supportive and collaborative learning environment, driving research and innovation, and launching initiatives that create meaningful, lasting change. If you have more questions about the PACE Committee, contact Dr. Bryan Leyva or Dr. Tiffani Houston.
Core Focus Areas:
Recruitment & Representation – Identify and welcome individuals dedicated to compassionate, high-quality care, advocacy, and contributions to meaningful system improvements.
Education & Training Prepare future healthcare professionals with the expertise, skills, and insight to serve their communities effectively.
Learning and Workplace Culture – Create an environment where providers can excel, collaborate, and deliver their best work.
Research, Innovation, & Collaboration – Explore and implement evidence-based strategies to enhance healthcare access, quality, and patient outcomes.
Implementation & Community Impact Develop and sustain initiatives that drive measurable improvements in medical education and patient care.
Specific Activities Aligned with Our Core Areas
1. Recruitment & Representation
Engage in local and national medical school recruitment events to attract students from all backgrounds.
Maintain strong representation in national medical organizations to foster mentorship, networking, and equitable opportunities for Med-Peds residents and faculty.
Uphold a rigorous, holistic residency selection process that prioritizes merit, fairness, leadership, and community service.
Lead and oversee the Miami Voices Visiting Scholar Program, providing visiting students with opportunities to connect with faculty and engage with our patient population.
Support faculty recruitment and retention efforts, particularly for those historically excluded from medicine.
2. Education & Training
Develop and implement a longitudinal four-year curriculum that equips Med-Peds residents with skills in advocacy, health policy, public health research, and leadership.
Create and deliver targeted educational programs (e.g., workshops, case studies) for medical students, residents, and faculty, addressing evolving patient and healthcare needs.
3. Learning & Workplace Culture
Assess and enhance the learning environment to ensure healthcare education is accessible and effective for all.
4. Research, Innovation & Collaboration
Serve as a collaborative hub for Med-Peds trainees and faculty to pursue grants, research, and programs that improve patient outcomes and drive community and advocacy efforts.
Secure and contribute to collaborative grants that align with our mission of making healthcare patient-centered and accessible.
Support resident-led research focused on healthcare access, advocacy, and clinical innovation.
5. Implementation & Community Impact
Launch and evaluate new initiatives (e.g., patient advocacy training, community engagement projects) to measure their impact.
Strengthen partnerships with community organizations, public health agencies, and policymakers to enhance experiential learning and advocacy opportunities.
Monitor and sustain existing community health partnerships while strategically cultivating new collaborations to advance our mission.