Transformational Times Submission Guidelines


Transformational Times is a weekly newsletter produced by the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Institute for the Transformation of Medical Education at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Each week, we publish approximately five essays and other contributions, largely created by students, faculty, staff, and thought leaders who have direct experience with medical education. 

Many of the newsletters are thematic. For example, we often have dedicated issues for specific holidays and events including Valentine's Day, Match Day, Memorial Day, Graduation, the start of the academic year, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and the sacred holidays. Each of the Kern Institue's pillars and laboratories creates a dedicated issue. We are always open to suggestions for thematic issues. 

The best way to get published is to review old issues (archived here) and see the types of things we have published in the past. 


If you have questions, contact us at TranformationalTimes@mcw.edu


We publish a variety of pieces:


PERSPECTIVE / OPINION

Perspective / Opinion pieces are first person accounts of a particular issue or theme in medical education as experienced by the writer. These are narratives and not academic pieces. They are generally 500 to 1000 words and have few, if any, references.  Pieces built around stories or anecdotes are more readable than pieces containing only information. 

Each Perspective / Opinion essay has a title that clearly describes the content and a two- to three-sentence precis that offers a quick introduction before the reader opens the entire piece. 

Essays can be created by one or more authors. On occasion, some essays on sensitive topics are published anonymously. This can be discussed with the editors. 

To submit a Perspective / Opinion piece:

  1. Use the format found here.
  2. Email as a Word document along with a headshot to TransformationalTimes@mcw.edu and put "TT Perspective / Opinion submission" in the subject line. 


TAKE 3

A "Take 3" is an interview-style pieces that explores a subject with a person who is close to a topic, either as a content expert or as someone who has unique knowledge. The editors often arrange a Take 3 for people who have valuable perspectives but do not have the bandwidth to write an essay. We are open to this format for other individuals. Questions can be directed to the editor-in-chief or one of the staff. 

To submit a Take 3 piece:

  1. Use the format found here.
  2. Email as a Word document along with a headshot to TransformationalTimes@mcw.edu and put "TT Take 3 submission" in the subject line. 


POETRY

Each issue contain a piece of poetry, often linked to the week's theme. These are either original works created by readers (our favorite type of poetry!) or works by outside poets. Work that has been previously published much have an attribution of where it was originally published and when. 

Poems must be of a "reasonable" length (usually no more than 20 - 25 lines) and of appropriate content. 

To submit a poem, email as a Word document with a headshot (if appropriate) to TransformationalTimes@mcw.edu and put "TT Poetry submission" in the subject line. 


PHOTOGRAPHY / VISUAL ARTS

Many issues contain a piece of visual art, often linked to the week's theme. These are usually original works created by readers. If previously published, pieces much have an attribution of where it was originally published and when. 

Visual pieces must be of appropriate content. 

To submit a photograph or visual art piece, email with the piece as a jpeg attachment to TransformationalTimes@mcw.edu and put "TT Visual submission" in the subject line. 


 All submissions are subject to editorial review and approval. 


We look forward to your submissions.

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