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
Gen Z Presentation History
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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
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.
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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.
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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.
Gen Z Scholarship
ACQUIRED: An Innovative Asynchronous Modality to Increase Quality Teacher-Learner Dialogue and Overcome Classroom Barriers in Basic Science Medical Education
Lewis BE, Attardi SM, Sawarynski KE
Medical Science Educator. 2025; 6:1-3. doi: 10.1007/s40670-024-02248-w
Adapting strategically to changing times in health professions education: A generational workshop for educators
Attardi SM, Taylor TAH, Lerchenfeldt S, Pratt RL, Sawarynski KE
MedEdPORTAL. 2021;17:11084. 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11084
Twelve tips for interfacing with the new generation of medical students: iGen
Lerchenfeldt S, Attardi SM, Pratt RL, Sawarynski KE, Taylor TA.
Medical Teacher. 2020; 43(11), 1249–1254. doi: 10.1080/0142159X.2020.1845305