Mohr achieves national certification from TBLC

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

2-3-2016

Campus Unit

School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Abstract

GRAND FORKS, N.D.—Peggy Mohr, PT, PhD, a professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, achieved certification from the international Team-Based Learning Collaborative (TBLC). The TBLC will recognize Mohr’s achievement at its 15th annual meeting March 3–5 in Albuquerque, N.Mex.

The Team-Based Learning Collaborative is an international, not-for-profit, and volunteer-supported organization that encourages the use of team-based learning (TBL). TBL is an evidence-based educational tool where student teams are responsible for researching, developing, and conveying course concepts. The students are guided by an instructor who has specialized training in TBL.

In his letter announcing Mohr’s certification, Paul Koles, MD, the chair of the TBLC Training and Certification Committee, noted that the reviewers at the TBLC were impressed with the quality of Mohr’s portfolio. Koles, the chair of the Department of Pathology at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, said, “We congratulate you on this well-deserved achievement.”

Through the help of her colleagues, Mohr transitioned a traditional lecture course to a team-based learning approach in 2013. Since that time, she has continued to work with her physical therapy colleagues to incorporate active-learning strategies in additional courses. This collaborative work was the basis of Mohr’s acceptance into the TBLC Training and Accreditation Program in 2014. She completed her rigorous two-year development program and earned her certification as a TBLC Training Consultant in January 2016 after demonstrating her capability in developing and facilitating the delivery of TBL courses and in mentoring and supporting others in implementing TBL. As a training consultant, Mohr joins an international network of trainers and mentors who support faculty and institutions in implementing and improving TBL course delivery.

“The physical therapy program has always incorporated active learning strategies for clinical skills,” said David Relling, PT, PhD, associate professor of physical therapy and chair of the SMHS Department of Physical Therapy. “With team-based learning, Dr. Mohr brought the same student engagement, collaboration and higher order thinking into the classroom. She has skillfully transitioned multiple courses into the TBL format because it promotes critical attributes for today’s healthcare environment, such as problem-solving skills, communication, personal accountability, and collaboration. Dr. Mohr’s recognized expertise in development and implementation of TBL will be a tremendous asset for the department and school as we move to a building where the design facilitates active learning strategies.”

“My peers during TBL training were amazed when they learned that the UND SMHS’s new building is designed to enhance and foster active learning pedagogies,” Mohr said. “The new building for the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences is evidence that North Dakota is at the apex of teaching healthcare professionals.”

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