Susan D. Wolfsthal

Susan D. Wolfsthal, MD is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, serving as Associate Chair for Education and Residency Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. She oversees clinical training for over 130 residents and 12 fellowship programs, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards while advancing educational excellence through innovative curriculum design.

Her educational background includes:

• B.A. in Biology (Magna Cum Laude), University of Rochester (1972-1976)
• M.D., Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1976-1980)
• Internship and Residency in Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital (1980-1983)

Dr. Wolfsthal's research focuses on graduate medical education reform, specializing in competency-based curricula, faculty development, and assessment systems. She pioneered HRSA-funded initiatives in cultural sensitivity training, evidence-based medicine integration, and entrustable professional activities frameworks. Her work bridges educational theory with practical implementation, emphasizing resident milestone achievement through appropriate supervision levels and innovative evaluation tools.

Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent leadership in transitioning medical education from knowledge-based to competency-driven models. Key trends include the operationalization of entrustable professional activities, development of specialty-specific assessment tools, and integration of web-based training for critical areas like palliative care and infection control. Her scholarship consistently addresses systemic challenges in residency training while providing implementable solutions.

Her distinguished honors include the Celeste L. Woodward Professorship in Humanitarian Medical Practice and recognition as a Founding Member of the National Gold Humanism Society. Additional accolades span teaching excellence awards from students and residents, departmental leadership recognition, and sustained contributions to medical education scholarship.

• Celeste L. Woodward Professor of Humanitarian and Ethical Medical Practice (2001)
• C. Lockard Conley Award for Excellence in Resident Teaching and Research (2003)
• Senior Residents’ Award for Excellence in Teaching (2003)
• Multiple Student Marshall and Hooding awards (2005-2014)
• Chairman’s Special Achievement Award (2016)
• Fellow, American College of Physicians (1990-present)
• Academy of Educational Excellence Fellowship (2014)

As Principal Investigator on four HRSA grants, Dr. Wolfsthal has developed nationally recognized educational frameworks while mentoring faculty and fellowship directors. Her clinical practice in internal medicine grounds her educational leadership in current medical practice, and she co-directs the medical student physical diagnosis course. Her administrative oversight encompasses all aspects of resident training from curriculum design to evaluation systems, ensuring alignment with evolving accreditation requirements.