Barbara Schindler, MD, professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Drexel University College of Medicine, has been elected a professional member of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the accrediting body for educational programs at medical schools that grant Doctor of Medicine degrees in the United States and Canada. Schindler's appointment began July 1, 2014.

"The LCME plays a critical role in assuring that all medical schools meet the highest accreditation standards while preparing the next generation of physicians to practice medicine in a rapidly evolving health care environment," said Schindler. "This appointment allows me to use my background and experience as a medical educator and clinician to ensure that those standards are in place."

Schindler already has experience in working with the LCME as she led the College through several successful accreditations while serving as vice dean for medical education for nearly two decades. During that time, she provided exemplary leadership and creativity in the service of medical student education. Schindler was a steady hand in driving the educational mission through difficult times and was crucial in helping the College achieve the stability, growth and reputation it has today. She stepped down from that position earlier this year.

Schindler is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and gained added qualifications in geriatric psychiatry. She has published extensively on numerous psychiatric issues and has been honored with many awards, including the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching and recognition as a 2013 Top Doctor by Philadelphia magazine. She has published and presented widely on clinical psychiatry issues, as well as medical education topics, with more than 200 papers, abstracts, book chapters, reviews and presentations to her credit. In addition to her administrative, research and clinical activities, she has always taken an active role in teaching medical students, and teaching and supervising residents in psychiatry.

LCME members are medical educators and administrators, practicing physicians, public members and medical students. The LCME is sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association. Each appoints six professional members and one student member. The LCME appoints two public members and is represented by ad hoc teams of evaluators who conduct on-site surveys of medical schools. Survey team members are a mix of basic science and clinical educators and practitioners.