Melissa Teply, MD, has been appointed the new communications COIL director for the UNMC College of Medicine.
The communications COIL director leads the teaching of such communications skills as taking medical histories, difficult conversations, breaking bad news and more. The COIL is emphasized in the first year of medical school, but continues throughout the four years of the program.
Dr. Teply, a 2010 UNMC College of Medicine graduate, said she was thrilled to be taking the role.
“It’s especially meaningful for me because this was one of my favorite aspects of medical school,” she said. “I’ve since spent my career learning how to improve my own communication skills and teach these skills to others.”
Communications skills training is crucial to the practice of medicine, Dr. Teply said.
“Our ability to provide safe and effective patient care depends almost entirely on our ability to communicate our thoughts and recommendations with honesty and care. I hope to empower our medical students to cultivate meaningful connections and mutual purpose with their patients, which leads to joy in practice for us as healthcare providers.”