This past spring, Kathryn E. Redinger, MD, lost a dear mentor, a person that helped her to become the physician she is today.
The loss, while not unexpected, caught Dr. Redinger off guard, as she had a half-written thank you note sitting on her desk that she had not sent. She finished the letter and delivered it to her mentor’s family at his funeral. It was also around this time that Dr. Redinger accepted the role of chair of the Department of Medical Education at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed).
With this perspective fresh in her heart, Dr. Redinger knew that her first strategic goal for the department needed to be to create an opportunity for WMed students to get any unsent thank you letters off their desks.
On Thursday, September 25, 2025, Dr. Redinger’s vision became reality as the Department of Medical Education hosted its first-ever Community Preceptor Appreciation Reception at the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus.
The two-hour event, held inside the William D. Johnston and Ronda E. Stryker Auditorium, honored the community-based physicians who dedicate their time, energy, and expertise to teaching WMed students.
“When I first stepped into the role of chair of the Department of Medical Education, this event was the very first thing I wanted to make real, because at the heart of medical education and at the heart of WMed, really, is the preceptors,” Dr. Redinger said. “I want to offer a special and sincere thanks to every one of you who takes students into your offices and your hospital services. I could not oversee the clinical education of our students without your willingness to keep saying, ‘Yes.’”
In addition to the dedicated faculty serving WMed Health clinics and those serving through academic services at WMed’s hospital partners Bronson Healthcare and Beacon Health System, the medical school depends on the generosity of many volunteer preceptors throughout Southwest Michigan. These community physicians hold faculty appointments at WMed while continuing their primary roles within hospitals and private practices.
By welcoming students into their clinical environments, these community preceptors provide authentic, real-world learning that is essential to the medical education experience.
For the community preceptor event, students were invited to nominate a preceptor who most profoundly influenced their training. More than 100 nominations were submitted, honoring nearly 120 individual preceptors across 77 clinical sites and representing every corner of the medical school curriculum.
“The students consistently described preceptors who took extra time to teach and follow up, treated them as true members of the team, gave them autonomy and responsibility, offered career-shaping mentorship, and modeled kindness, patience, and humanity in their patient care,” Dr. Redinger said. “This isn’t just a ‘Thank you,’ it’s proof that the way you show up every day, your time, your patience, and your kindness leaves a permanent mark on our learners.”
These heartfelt student reflections were displayed on screens throughout the event. Attendees were also treated to a keynote address, “Competency-based Medical Education: From Theory to the Clinic,” by Lou Edje, MD, MHPE, FAAFP, associate dean of Graduate Medical Education at the University of Michigan.
Additionally, Shamsi Berry, PhD, MS, chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee and associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics, informed those in attendance of new ways for community preceptors to deepen their involvement with WMed through teaching opportunities, committee participation, and academic leadership.
Reflecting on the success of the inaugural event, Dr. Redinger said she’s thrilled at the amount of support she’s received, and the goal will be to grow the event in future years.
“This evening of gratitude is more than a reception; it is a recognition that WMed’s mission cannot be fulfilled without the commitment of its community preceptors,” Dr. Redinger said. “Their mentorship leaves an indelible mark on students and strengthens the future of healthcare in Southwest Michigan and beyond.”