Aimee Gardner, PhD, Named Associate Dean of Faculty Development

Aimee Gardner, PhD, has been named associate dean of faculty development at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, effective October 1.

Gardner joins CU from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where she has been since 2017, serving as assistant dean of evaluation and research, associate dean, director of research for the Center for Professionalism, and founding faculty member of the Department of Education, Innovation, and Technology. She holds the rank of tenured professor.

Prior to joining Baylor College of Medicine, Gardner served at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center as director of surgical education research and co-director of the surgery simulation center in the Department of Surgery. During her four years in those roles, she led education research efforts, designed simulation training programs, implemented faculty development programs, and created novel systems for trainee assessment and evaluation.

“Dr. Gardner brings extensive experience and innovative approaches to this new and important role,” said Lotte Dyrbye, MD, MHPE, senior associate dean of faculty and chief well-being officer at the CU School of Medicine. “We are committed to developing a fulfilling professional environment for our faculty that encourages and recognizes accomplishments in all stages of careers and all phases of our work.” 

The associate dean of faculty development will be responsible for planning and implementing a program that serves the school’s more than 5,000 faculty members. Key duties will include leading the Academy of Medical Educators, establishing a series of monthly Medical Education Grand Rounds and an annual education symposium, and supporting medical education research. Leveraging expertise in psychological principles and science of human behavior in the workplace, Gardner will assist the CU School of Medicine and departmental well-being leaders in efforts to improve faculty well-being and satisfaction.

Gardner graduated with an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Arkansas in 2018. She received master’s and doctorate degrees in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio.