Tay Boyd | Master of Medical Sciences in Medical Education

Amidst the bustle of Harvard Medical School’s rigorous academic environment, Taylor “Tay” Boyd, MD, alumna of the Master of Medical Sciences in Medical Education program, is a testament to the power of integrated medical education. Her specialized skills in teaching and medicine reflect the impact of combining knowledge with hands-on clinical experience. Now settling into her first year of internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boyd was happy to reflect on her experiences in HMS’s joint MD/MMSc program.

When asked why she wanted to pursue medical education, Boyd says, “I came into medical school excited about education in general. I spent a year teaching prior to starting [at Harvard]. So I felt that this program would be a good opportunity to build a foundation of knowledge about the theories behind medical education and build skills that would set me up for success as a potential future educator in medicine.”

Coming to the master’s program, though, Boyd wasn’t sure what to expect from the experience. “I was prepared for lectures and presentations…but the program was different in the most wonderful ways,” she says. “I wasn’t expecting that so much of the learning that happened would come from my incredible colleagues. It was phenomenal to learn from educators from Boston, the United States, and the world.”

For Boyd, the surprises that this program offered are what exceeded her expectations. “I didn’t realize how much active learning would take place, not only in the classroom setting but also through our thesis project,” she adds. “So many of the core concepts that I learned came through working on my thesis and the different sorts of quantitative and qualitative analysis that I needed to do.”

Like other students, Boyd had to complete a thesis. Under the guidance of a team of dedicated mentors—many of whom had been her professors in medical school—and her classmates, her thesis delved into empowering first-year medical students with effective learning strategies.

Boyd takes what she learned from her thesis into her residency. “I’ve been taking bits and pieces of what I learned in the program and applying it in real time,” she says, “whether working with medical students in a clinical setting when rotating through MGH, working on different research projects, or giving input or reviewing others’ projects.”

When asked about her advice for prospective MD students considering the MMSc program, Boyd says, “Take advantage of the opportunity. This is a learning experience that just opens up so many doors down the road…. It’s fantastic to do while in medical school because you can build skills and keep growing as you go along.” For her, the dual program, which is exclusive to Harvard Medical students, feels like a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Boyd attributes the success of her experience to the small class sizes of the Master of Medical Sciences in Medical Education program. “I think our class had nine people,” she says. “Without question, it was a benefit. I know those folks really, really well. We still post in our group chat and have been very connected. I think the small cohort made a beautiful community for learning.”

Boyd’s journey exemplifies the profound impact of integrating medical education into clinical practice, embodying Harvard Medical School’s ethos of excellence in patient care, research, and education. As Boyd continues her journey, her dedication to medical education and patient care will serve as an inspiration for future generations of medical professionals.

Learn more about the Master of Medical Sciences in Medical Education program.

Written by Bailey Merlin