Designed for Integration
The first tools designed specifically for integrating basic and clinical sciences in a variety of learning environments.
Aquifer History
Aquifer, formerly known as MedU, was formally organized in 2006 as a way to share innovative methods in teaching national clerkship curricula comprehensively and consistently.
The idea for Aquifer grew out of work by Dartmouth professors Leslie H. Fall, MD, and Norman Berman, MD, who received a federal grant in 2000 to develop pediatric virtual patient cases. Developed with the support of a consortium of pediatric educators, the new web-based course comprehensively covered the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP) core pediatric curriculum.
When the federal grants ended in 2006, Drs. Fall and Berman created MedU, a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering the best health care education through collaborative development and research into innovative, high-impact virtual teaching and learning methods.
Additional contributors and new courses followed. Internal Medicine, added in 2007, covered the curriculum outlined by the Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine (CDIM). In 2008, Family Medicine was developed in collaboration with the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM).
In 2009, the Web Initiative for Surgical Education of Medical Doctors (WISE-MD), founded by Tom Riles, MD at New York University, was added to a suite of courses to support the surgery clerkship. In 2011, Radiology was added to the library of courses. Expansion continued with the addition of courses in Geriatrics and Addiction, plus a range of free courses on a variety of cross-disciplinary topics.
In late 2016, Dr. Fall and the Board of Directors recognized the need to expand MedU’s vision, scope, and students. The organization took on the development of a new strategic plan, a new proprietary learning management system, and a new brand. In early 2018, MedU became Aquifer. Aquifer is reaching more constituencies, expanding the range and development of courses, and increasing its impact as it seeks to transform healthcare education.
For Educators, By Educators
Teams of interdisciplinary educators developed and reviewed content that meets the needs of today’s faculty and students.
Nationally Developed Tools
Fully vetted teaching tools provide a framework that can be applied and adapted to fit the needs of your program.
Get started with Aquifer today!
Learn more about our institutional subscriptions
