Enhancing Teaching Skills for Medical Educators (Online): Tips for Writing Letters of Recommendation

“Tips for Writing Letters of Recommendation” is a learning module created for medical educators as part of the “Enhancing Teaching Skills Lunchtime Webinar Series.” The goal of this series is to enhance core teaching and scholarship skills for medical educators of both medical students and residents throughout the UPMC system. The webinar series occurs live through Microsoft Teams from 12:00-1:00PM every other month during the academic year. If you would like to be invited to participate in the live webinar, please email Maggie Benson at [email protected] 

Target Audience

Medical educators of both medical students and residents. 

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation, you should be able to:

  • Analyze the components of effective letters of recommendation to determine which characteristics are most valued by program directors.
  • Construct clear and supportive narratives that transparently address learner challenges in letters of recommendation.
  • Revise letter content to eliminate ambiguous or coded language that could negatively influence the interpretation of learner performance
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 0.75 Attendance
Course opens: 
06/10/2025
Course expires: 
06/10/2028
Part of: 
Enhancing Teaching Skills for Medical Educators Series

Course Director:
Maggie Benson, MD MS, - Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, UPMC Hamot

Presenters:

  • Jen Corbelli, MD, MS, FACP - Professor of Medicine, Vice Chair for Education, Department of Medicine, Associate Program Director for Evaluation and Competency, Internal Medicine Residency Program
  • Kathy Sweeney, DO - Associate Program Director, Director of Osteopathic Education, UPMC Altoona Family Medicine

No members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services, used on, or consumed by, patients to disclose.

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In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Other health care professionals will recieve a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Disclaimer Statement:

The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

Available Credit

  • 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 0.75 Attendance
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