Prister joins College of Medicine – Phoenix Office of Clinical Curriculum as associate dean

The College of Medicine – Phoenix is pleased to announce the appointment of James Prister, MD, as the associate dean of clinical curriculum. He will lead the Office of Clinical Curriculum in the delivery of high-quality educational experiences in core specialty clerkships, sub-internships and electives within the Banner Health System and our affiliate partners. He will collaborate with faculty and lead administrative teams to design efficient processes, develop robust technology supported assessment and evaluation tools, ensure timely performance feedback and promote faculty development programs applicable to the clinical setting.

He will also be responsible for developing, evaluating and monitoring all aspects of the third- and fourth-year curriculum across clinical sites in compliance with Liaison Committee on Medical Education standards and in collaboration with clerkship directors, division chiefs and department chairs.

Prister is an experienced hospitalist clinician and award-winning teacher. He joins the college from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey where he received his medical education and completed postgraduate training in internal medicine. He served as chief resident and joined the Department of Medicine as an associate program director of residency training. He brings extensive expertise in student education in the clinical and classroom setting.

Currently an associate professor of medicine, his interests include educational technology, gamification-based teaching methodologies, clinical coaching, simulation-based training and career counseling. He was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society in 2013 for gifted teaching. He is a member of the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine and the American College of Physicians.

“I am impressed with the substantial impact the U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix has on improving access to health care in Arizona with their exemplary physician training programs. I look forward to collaborating with students, college leaders, staff and clinical and community partners to grow this innovative curriculum in service to our diverse communities. The unique opportunities here for our students to develop their talents are not readily available at many medical schools,” Prister said.

In addition to his key academic role, he will practice hospital medicine at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. Prister will report to Ranita Sharma, MD, interim vice dean of undergraduate medical education.

Prister will assume his role on Nov. 25, 2024.