Medical Doctor pursues EdD in Learning Sciences

Gordon Green says there is a change happening in medical education, and it’s a change in which he wants to play an active part. 

During his time as a medical doctor, Green has witnessed a shift from traditional teaching approaches involving lectures and apprenticeships to techniques including simulations, problem-based learning, and team-based learning and practice.

“I don’t want to wait around and see what happens,” he says.  “I’d prefer to experience this evolution first-hand.”

As a result of his desire to take a leadership role, Green registered in the Werklund School of Education’s Learning Sciences doctoral program.

“Werklund is perfect for me as my schedule can be a bit hectic. Outside of the box, and outside of my comfort zone is exactly what I was looking for, and the Werklund School has not let me down.”

And he should know a good program when he sees it.  Prior to coming to the WSE, Green took what he calls a roundabout route to a career in medicine, earning a business degree, followed by a life science degree before completing his medical degree.
While working in pediatric emergency medicine for six years, he continued his studies by completing a teaching scholars program and says he kept finding himself drawn to teaching opportunities.

“I then allowed my interest in the educational side of medical education to take me and my family to the Caribbean where I began teaching fulltime in a medical school. The opportunity and educational environment was so enlightening that I have stuck with it in one form or another since.”

But ever the student, Green was still not finished with his pursuit of higher education and went on to earn a Master of Education in distance education from Athabasca University.

When asked why he keeps returning to school, his answer is simple.

“I continue to pursue my education as it is clear that things aren’t as good as they can be.”

Green hopes his research into what makes a successful team will allow him to help make things better.

“As an ER doctor, I have had the good fortune to experience the extremes to which good teamwork can take you.  I hope to conduct research that involves interprofessional teams, thus impacting multiple healthcare disciplines.”

Though his focus is on medicine, Green hopes his findings will have value beyond that field.

“My research is in healthcare education, but there is little reason to believe that at least some of what we find won’t be applicable in other professions.”

As for the future, Green says he will take things one step at a time.

“In many respects, it truly is the journey that interests me and not the arrival at a pre-determined destination.  Such a destination is really just another jumping off point, isn’t it?”

In other words, don’t be surprised to see him back on campus when he is finished with this degree.