Teaching Interest

Post-graduate education in medical microbiology:

In general, the Medical Microbiology residency training program received Special Distinction for its conduct and performance among specialty residency training programs at UBC in 1990.  In 1995, the residency training program continued to receive full accreditation. The Children’s Hospital site received a 4 of 5 rating from residents for content and organization. Dr. Cimolai is the site co-ordinator for medical microbiology residency training.  Have represented the UBC Residency Training Program at the national Royal College Medical Microbiology Specialty Committee on two occasions.

In 2001, the Medical Microbiology residency training program continued to receive full accreditation from Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

In September of 1998, became the director for Pathology 327 (Medical Microbiology) course in the BMLSc program.  The course was redesigned.  In the first evaluation of the changes, the course overall was ranked 5.2 out of a possible 7.  In the second year, the course overall was ranked 5.7 out of a possible 7. In the third year, the course overall ranked 6.0 out of a possible 7. Dr. Cimolai’s specific teaching component was ranked 5.7 out of a possible 7 in the first year, 6.0 out of 7 in the second year, and 6.5 out of 7 in the third year.

In June of 1999, became the director for Pathology 327 (Medical Microbiology) by correspondence.  The course was redesigned and an assessment of these changes was had in the summer of 2000. Overall, the course was ranked 5.9 out of a total possible 7.

In the summer of 2000, the laboratory component for Pathology 327 was redesigned. A new laboratory manual was created and improvements were made for the content and location of the wet sessions for bacteriology. The students rated the laboratory sessions and revised manual as 8.1 and 8.4 out of 10 respectively. The Children’s Hospital site was rated 8.7 out of 10 for its participation in the bacteriology laboratories.

Teaching in the new curriculum – Faculty of Medicine:

a)  Host Defences and Infection Block
b)  Fluids Electrolytes Renal Genitourinary  Block – rated 3.2 out of 4.0 for tutor performance

Undergraduate education in medical microbiology:

Chair the 1st/2nd year course entitled Medical Microbiology/Pathology 427.  Assumed directorship of the course in July, 1993, and the following details the summary of evaluations from the medical students for the entire course before and after the directorship change.

1992-1993 (before)              Excellent 1.7%   Good 44.8%   Fair 45.7%   Poor 7.8%
1993-1994 (after)                Excellent 10.8%   Good 68.5%   Fair 23.4%   Poor 0.9%
1994-1995 (after)                Excellent 34.4%   Good 62.3%   Fair 3.3%   Poor 0%

The above directorship change was accompanied by several innovative changes within the course planning and context.

In the context of the above course, the personal evaluation was as follows:

1994        Excellent 66.1%   Good 32.2%   Fair 1.7%   Poor 0%
1995        Excellent 65.3%   Good 33.7%   Fair 1.1%   Poor 0%
1996        Excellent 67.2%   Good 31.9%   Fair 0.9%   Poor 0%
1997        Excellent 56.6%   Good 35.3%   Fair 8.2%   Poor 0%

Contributed to 5 chapters of a Medical Microbiology synopsis (textbook) which was used for the course.

For teaching within this course and for the organizational efforts, received the 1994-1995 Medical Undergraduate Society Award for Teaching Excellence.

This course was finalized with subsequent changes in the new medical curriculum.

As of 1998, became an Academic Advisor for the Faculty of Medicine Undergraduate Programme. Also, assisted in providing materials for the preparative photography of clinical specimens for production of a CD-ROM that is to be used in one module of the new medical curriculum.