Leveraging Gen Z perspectives to unlock teaching, learning, and working together.

Gen Z Professional Development

Together with my colleague, Dr. Kara Sawarynski, I co-lead “Empowering Intergenerational Training Environments,” a nationally recognized speaking program that helps educators better understand and engage today’s students and trainees.

We offer:

  • Keynotes & webinars, tailored for faculty retreats, leadership summits, and educational conferences

  • Grand rounds with health professions audiences on teaching, training, and professionalism

  • Customizable workshops that are interactive, reflective, and actionable

  • Faculty, staff, and administrator professional development for institutions ready to evolve

Contact us

Gen Z Presentation History

  • Attardi SM, Sawarynski KE. Rethinking “When I was in school”: Intergenerational medical education in a tech-accelerated world. Invited presentation at: Leischner Department of Medical Education, Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine; November 17, 2025; Maywood, IL.

    Attardi SM, Shafer C, Sawarynski KE. Moving past “kids these days”: Leveraging intergenerational perspectives to unlock teaching and learning together. Oral presentation at: 2025 International Association of Medical Sciences Educators Annual Conference; June 16, 2025; Calgary, AB.

    Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM. Applying generational research to today’s medical education environment: Strategies for faculty & administration to develop shared expectations for professionalism, teaching, training, and learning. Invited presentation at: University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville; November 19, 2024; Greenville, SC.

    Attardi SM, Sawarynski KE. Applying generational research to medical education: Strategies for faculty to develop shared expectations for professionalism, teaching, training, and learning. Invited presentation at: Undergraduate Medical Education Retreat, Henry Ford Health; October 17, 2024; Detroit, MI.

    Attardi SM, Sawarynski KE. Applying generational research to medical education: Strategies for residents as teachers to thrive in an intergenerational medical education environment. Invited presentation at: Residents as Teachers Program, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital. October 16, 2024; virtual.
    Additional presentation date: December 3, 2025.

    Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM. Applying generational research to medical education: Strategies for Psych and Behavioral Science Faculty to Develop Shared Expectations for Professionalism, Teaching, Training, and Learning. Invited presentation at: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University School of Medicine; August 2, 2024; virtual.

    Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM. Applying generational research to medical education: Strategies for chief residents to develop shared expectations for professionalism, teaching, training, and learning in graduate medical education. Invited workshop at: Tulane School of Medicine; April 16, 2024; New Orleans, LA.

    Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM. Applying generational research to medical education: Strategies for medical educators to develop shared expectations for professionalism, teaching, training, and learning in graduate medical education. Invited workshop at: Tulane School of Medicine; April 16, 2024; New Orleans, LA.

    Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM. Applying generational research to medical education: Strategies for program directors to develop shared expectations for professionalism, teaching, training, and learning in graduate medical education. Invited workshop at: Tulane School of Medicine; April 16, 2024; New Orleans, LA.

    Attardi SM, Lerchenfeldt S, Pratt RL, Taylor TAH, Sawarynski KE. Adapting teaching strategies for Generation Z: Translating generational research to the post-COVID classroom. Invited presentation at: Physician Assistant Studies Program Faculty Retreat, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences; August, 2023; virtual.

    Sawarynski KE, Lerchenfeldt S, Pratt RL, Taylor TAH, Attardi SM. Adapting Teaching Strategies for Generation Z: Translating Generational Research to the Post-COVID Classroom. Invited presentation at: Southern California College of Optometry Marshall B. Ketchum University; April 26, 2023: virtual.

    Attardi SM, Lerchenfeldt S, Pratt RL, Sawarynski KE, Taylor TAH. Translator please!: Adapt your teaching for radically different and newly matriculated iGen students. Invited workshop at: Center for Teaching and Learning, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine; Sept, 2019; Stratford, NJ.

    Attardi SM*, Lerchenfeldt S, Pratt RL, Sawarynski KE, Taylor TAH. Translator please!: Adapting your teaching for radically different and newly matriculated iGen students. Oral presentation at: 2019 International Association of Medical Sciences Educators Annual Conference; June, 2019; Roanoke, VA.

  • Attardi SM, Sawarynski KE, Gen Z in psychiatry clerkships: Six critical areas for reflection on professionalism, teaching, and learning. Invited presentation at: Department of Psychiatry Retreat, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; March 21, 2025; East Lansing, MI.

    Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM. Gen Z in obstetrics and gynecology medical education: Six critical areas for reflection on professionalism, teaching, and learning. Invited presentation at: UMEC Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Retreat, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; March 13, 2025; East Lansing, MI.

    Attardi SM, Sawarynski KE. Bridging generational gaps: Engaging Gen Z in higher education with empathy and strategy. Oral presentation at: Oakland University Administrative Professional Assembly, March 2025; Virtual.

    Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM. Chemistry of connection: Engaging Gen Z in biochemical education and research. Invited presentation at: Professional Development Committee Webinar, Association of Biochemistry Educators; February 20, 2025; virtual.

    Sawarynski KE, Taylor TAH, Attardi SM, Lerchenfeldt S. Exploring best practices in health professions education for Gen Z students. Invited presentation at: IAMSE Webcast Audio Seminar Series (International Association for Medical Science Educators); March 21, 2024: virtual.

    Attardi SM, Sawarynski KE. Gen Z trainees in diagnostic radiology: Strategies for residents to develop shared expectations for professionalism, teaching, training, and learning in medical education. Invited presentation at: JEDI Educational Awareness Program, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital; January 29, 2025; Royal Oak, MI.

    Attardi SM, Sawarynski KE. Gen Z in the medical education classroom: How innovations in communication technology have shaped generational expectations for engagement, teaching, and learning. Invited presentation at: Clinical Teaching Program Speaker Series, Corewell Health West & Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; April 23, 2024; virtual.

    Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM.A dialogue with department chairs: How generational reference points have shaped expectations for professionalism, teaching, learning, and training. Invited presentation at: Tulane School of Medicine Executive Faculty Meeting; April 16, 2024; New Orleans, LA.

    Attardi SM, Sawarynski KE. Gen Z in the medical education classroom: How innovations in communication technology have shaped generational expectations for engagement, teaching, and learning. Invited presentation at: Peer Connections Program (Michigan medical schools); November 16, 2023; virtual.

    Attardi SM, Lerchenfeldt S, Pratt RL, Taylor TAH, Sawarynski KE. Adapting teaching strategies for the new iGeneration: Translating generational research to the medical education classroom. Invited oral presentation at: Annual General Faculty Meeting, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine; Sept, 2019; Stratford, NJ.

  • Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM. From “When I was in school” to now: Reimagining intergenerational learning in a rapidly evolving medical education environment. Education Grand Rounds, Virginia Tech Carillion School of Medicine; January 15-16, 2026; virtual.

    Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM. Gen Z in medical education: Six critical areas for reflection on professionalism, teaching, and learning in health professions education. Invited presentation at: Medical Education Grand Rounds, Teaching Academy, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine; February 7, 2025; virtual.

    Attardi SM, Sawarynski KE. Gen Z in surgical medical education: How generational reference points have shaped expectations for professionalism, teaching, training, and learning within surgery. Invited presentation at: General Surgery Grand Rounds, Department of Surgery, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital; October 8, 2024; Royal Oak, MI.

    Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM. How generational reference points have shaped expectations for professionalism, teaching, training & learning. Invited presentation at: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Grand Rounds, Tulane University School of Medicine; August 2, 2024; virtual.

    Sawarynski KE, Attardi SM.Gen Z in medical education: How generational reference points have shaped expectations for professionalism, teaching, learning, and training. Invited presentation at: Tulane School of Medicine Grand Rounds; April 16, 2024; New Orleans, LA.