Einstein Learning Environment Committee
The Einstein Learning Environment Committee (ELEC) is a neutral, confidential, and informal resource to help M.D. students, Ph.D. students, and postdoctoral fellows address and resolve education, training, and workplace conflicts and grievances. The committee is comprised of the ombuds team and representatives of the offices of student affairs, medical education, and office of the vice dean for education. We are committed to providing an impartial, open-minded, supportive, independent, and fair space to voice concerns that arise about your learning environment, as well as interactions with faculty, clinical, or laboratory staff. We provide anonymous reporting and support mechanisms, advice on your options, and guidance through the mistreatment reporting process. The ombuds team, the core of our committee, embodies the following guiding principles:
Safe and confidential. Complaints are anonymous and without risk of retaliation, except if there is a concern for imminent danger to others in our community or in instances that involve sex-based discrimination or harassment. We do not require complainants to provide names or identifying information
Impartial and open-mined. We do not make judgments or assign blame.
Supportive. We are empathetic listeners and serve to promote overall student wellbeing.
Independent. We operate independent of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine administration and Montefiore Health System administration, except for providing annual neutral reports on mistreatment to the deans.
Fair. We offer the same support for all grievances and help everyone who engages with the Einstein Learning Environment Committee to explore potential conflict remediation options.
Committee Members
Elizabeth Dinces, M.D.
Committee Chair
Deborah J. White, M.D.
Committee Co-Chair
Paul E. Levin, M.D.
Committee Member
U. Thomas Meier, Ph.D.
Committee Member