Assistant Dean and Director: Fen-Lei Chang, MD, PhD

Indiana University School of Medicine—Fort Wayne is located on the north end of the campus of Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). The medical education building, constructed in 2009, offers large classrooms with state-of-the-art audiovisual and telecommunication technologies, expanded research facilities, and many amenities for medical students, faculty, and staff.

IPFW, located along the St. Joseph River in the northeastern section of Fort Wayne, is one of the most picturesque campuses in the state. The campus has an average enrollment of 13,500 undergraduate and graduate students, making it the fifth-largest university in the state. IPFW offers numerous academic programs and allows the campus’ students access to well-equipped computer facilities, campus library, student union and a sports center equipped with various courts, a track, and a variety of exercise equipment. IPFW athletics programs are NCAA Division 1 and belong to the mid-continent conference.

Seven tenured full-time faculty, as well as non-tenured and clinical faculty members are involved in medical education. The faculty includes expert instructors in the fields of medical biochemistry, molecular biology, anatomy, histology, cell biology, embryology, microbiology, immunology, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and neuroscience. Two part-time faculty members serve as course directors for Introduction to Clinical Medicine I and Introduction to Clinical Medicine II. Our faculty members work collaboratively with clinical researchers and academic institutions within the community.

The Fort Wayne campus’ first-year academic program is based on semesters: Gross Anatomy, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Histology/Embryology are offered in the first semester. The second semester includes Medical Physiology, Neuroscience, and Microbiology/Immunology. For three hours per week throughout the first year, students gain clinical experience in history-taking, doctor/patient relationships, and other areas in the Introduction to Clinical Medicine I course.

The second-year academic program follows a modified semester format, with Medical Pharmacology, Biostatistics, Medical Genetics, and General Pathology offered in the first semester. Systemic Pathology is offered in the second semester. The Introduction to Clinical Medicine II course spans both semesters of the sophomore year and includes aspects of advanced history-taking, medical ethics, nutrition, physical diagnosis, radiology, infectious diseases, cardiology, neurology, and other areas in medicine. More than 180 local physicians have School of Medicine clinical faculty appointments and participate in lectures and as clinical preceptors in the program.

The third- and fourth-year clinical clerkships provide students with educational opportunities in the clinical settings. Students learn valuable skills and knowledge during each of the clinical rotations. There are eight required clerkships in the third year: medicine, psychiatry, neurology, surgery, anesthesiology, obstetrics/gynecology, family medicine, and pediatrics. There are three required clerkships in the fourth year: medicine sub-internship, radiology, and emergency medicine. There are many electives offered throughout the third and fourth years. Students are able to master their history taking skills, perform physical examinations and learn procedures and advanced skills under the direction and supervision of their clinical preceptors. Students attend lectures provided by local faculty members as well as clinicians from the Indianapolis campus through videoconferencing.

There is frequent interaction with the Fort Wayne Medical Education Program. This unique program offers family practice residency in collaboration with the five community hospitals (Parkview, St. Joseph’s, Lutheran, Parkview North, and Dupont) and the Veterans Administration Medical Center. The Family Medicine junior clerkship, senior electives, and continuing medical education events for both students and practicing physicians, are offered in Fort Wayne and other northeast Indiana communities through the Fort Wayne Medical Education Program. Physicians, residents and hospital personnel are easily accessible to medical students and enthusiastically provide informal clinical training and advice on career planning.

Fort Wayne is the second-largest metropolitan area (approximately 250,000 residents) in the state. The Botanical Gardens, award-winning Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Art Museum, Philharmonic, Performing Arts Center, and historical attractions provide its residents with cultural activities. Fort Wayne has professional hockey, baseball, and basketball teams, and IPFW is a national powerhouse in volleyball. Parks, playgrounds, and bike trails cover over 2,000 acres of public park land and nearby state parks provide recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year.

Please visit our website at http://www.fortwayne.medicine.iu.edu

For further information contact:
Fen-Lei Chang, MD, PhD.
Assistant Dean and Director
Indiana University School of Medicine-Fort Wayne
2101 E. Coliseum Boulevard
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Phone: (260) 481-6731
E-mail: baileyg@ipfw.edu