Learning Environment and Professionalism (LEAP) Committee | Office of Medical Education | The University of Vermont(title)

The LEAP Committee provides oversight and support for the quality of the educational environment for students, residents, and fellows at the Larner College of Medicine, the University of Vermont Medical Center and Health Network, and affiliate organizations or hospitals where trainees complete clinical training.
Students taking part in a professional development exercise.

Ensuring a Positive Learning Environment

The committee reviews and recommends initiatives and policies to promote professional behavior throughout the academic medical center and affiliate training sites. It includes faculty, residents, students, and staff from Larner and the University of Vermont Health Network.

What We Do
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The LEAP Committee is charged with reviewing and recommending initiatives and policies to support professional behavior across the academic medical center and its affiliate training site.

More information can be found within the LEAP Committee Charter (PDF).

Mistreatment Response
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When a student expresses a concern of mistreatment, it is brought to the LEAP Committee in a blinded fashion so that the student (and educator if named) remain(s) anonymous.

The LEAP Committee’s response depends on the severity of the allegation and on whether the source of the mistreatment is identified.

If the source is named, action is taken according to the Mistreatment Response Pyramid. If the source is not named, the Chair of the LEAP Committee informs the relevant department Clerkship Director or Residency Program Director who in turn informs department faculty about the reported mistreatment so that learning climate improvements can be initiated. In order to guard against the potential for retaliatory behavior, all concerns (except those requiring immediate intervention due to safety concerns) are addressed only once final grades have been submitted.

LEAP Committee Members

Co-Chairs and Permanent Members

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Co-Chairs:

  • Melissa Davidson, M.D.
  • Nathalie Feldman, M.D.

Permanent Members:

  • LCOM Assistant Director of the Learning Environment- Liz Hunt, M.D.
  • Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education/Designated Institutional Official - Melissa Davidson, M.D.
  • LCOM Director of the Learning Environment - Nathalie Feldman, M.D.
  • Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education - Christa Zehle, M.D.
  • Associate Dean for Students, Karen George, M.D., M.P.H.
  • Quality Improvement Partner Jeffords Institute for Quality - Julie Cole
  • Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion - Margaret Tandoh, M.D.
  • Nursing Representative- Betsy Hassan

Faculty and Resident Representatives

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Faculty Representatives:

  • Judy Lewis, M.D.
  • Ellen Kulaga, M.D. (CT)

Resident Representatives:

  • Erin Dagostiono, M.D

Medical Student Representatives

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Medical Student Representatives:

  • Class of 2025 - Anirudh Hirve, Kassondra Little, Sofia Toro Alvarez, Richard Vuong (CT campus)
  • Class of 2026 – Shani Legore, Alex Tran, Julia Halvorson-Phelan
  • Class of 2027 - Lindsey Gleason, Alexia Amaio, Cassie Chin, Anthony Jeong (CT Campus)

Contact Us

Nathalie Feldman, M.D.

Director of the Learning Environment

Nathalie.Feldman@med.uvm.edu

Elizabeth Hunt, M.D.

Assistant Director of the Learning Environment • Assistant Professor, Pediatric Nephrology, Dept. of Pediatrics • Pediatric Nephrologist, the University of Vermont Children's Hospital

elizabeth.hunt1@med.uvm.edu