Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence

Mark Siegler, MDWebsitebucksbauminstitute.uchicago.edu

The Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence was established in September 2011 with a $42 million endowment gift from the Matthew and Carolyn Bucksbaum Family Foundation.^[1] The Institute's mission is to improve patient care, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, enhance communication and decision-making in healthcare, and reduce healthcare disparities through research and education programs for medical students, junior faculty, and master clinicians of the Institute.^[2]

The primary objectives of the Bucksbaum Institute are:

1. Improving Patient Care: Enhancing the quality of care provided to patients.
2. Strengthening the Doctor-Patient Relationship: Fostering a collaborative and trust-based relationship between doctors and patients.
3. Enhancing Communication and Decision-Making: Improving communication and decision-making processes in healthcare settings.
4. Reducing Healthcare Disparities: Addressing and reducing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.^[3]

The Bucksbaum Institute has developed a range of programs and initiatives to fulfill its mission:

• Schwartz Rounds: Hosted in partnership with the University of Chicago Medicine Biological Sciences Division Office of Faculty Affairs, these rounds provide healthcare providers with opportunities to discuss resilience, work-life harmony, and the impact of technology on the doctor-patient relationship.^[4]
• Pilot Grant Program: This program encourages and supports faculty research, awarding over $215,000 in pilot grants to Bucksbaum Scholars in the past year alone.

• Junior and Senior Scholars: The Institute selects classes of Junior Scholars, Senior Scholars, and a Master Clinician annually.
• Medical Student Involvement: The Institute selects Bucksbaum Medical Student Scholars starting in their first year of medical school and funds students pursuing scholarly work related to its mission.
• Clinical Excellence Scholars Track (CEST): A program for pre-medical students, which transitioned to being fully managed by the Bucksbaum Institute and includes activities like small-group physician discussions, shadowing, and engagement dinners.[1]

• The Clinical Excellence Podcast: This podcast features conversations on pertinent issues facing the doctor-patient relationship and has been downloaded over 10,000 times by listeners in more than 80 countries.^[5]
• Academic Publications: The Institute published a special issue of Academic Medicine in June 2023, featuring 17 articles by Bucksbaum Faculty Scholars.^[6]

The Bucksbaum Institute is continually exploring new programs and initiatives, including:

• Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence National Award: Recognizing physicians who demonstrate dedication to clinical excellence and mentorship.^[7]
• hArt of Medicine Physician Coaching Program: Expanding to train more physicians as coaches.
• Certificate Program for Joel Schwab, MD “On Being a Doctor” Lecture Series: Engaging pre-medical students in a deep exploration of the doctor-patient relationship.^[8]
• Patients as Teachers Event Series: Providing insight into the experiences of patients with chronic illness, oncology/clinical trials, and trauma.^[9]

Over the past twelve years, the Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence has established itself as a leader in advancing the quality of patient care and medical education. Through its innovative programs and commitment to its mission, the institute continues to make a profound impact on the healthcare community, both nationally and internationally.

• Official website