Maralyn Druce developed her interest in teaching during her medical training. Endocrinology (the study of hormones and hormone systems) is central to medicine and she is passionate about ensuring that the subject is well-represented in curricula and is well-taught and accessible.
Much of her working week is spent looking after patients with complex endocrine problems and she combines this with teaching, using a variety of methods including laboratory, seminars, lectures and the wards and clinic environment, encouraging students to apply evidence to everyday clinical problem-solving.
Maralyn holds several educational leadership roles within her medical school and within her research institute. She also has several national teaching roles. She chairs the Society for Endocrinology public engagement committee and has chaired education committee of the UK and Ireland Neuroendocrine Tumour society (UKINETs). She has contributed to national curriculum guidance, improving UK and international provision, sits on a national examination board and contributes to an international committee deciding the educational programming for a major annual endocrinology event.
Maralyn takes opportunities to teach across disciplines and to increase understanding of endocrinology for the public and for patients. Maralyn developed an e-learning programme that was the first of its kind in the UK, covering the full endocrinology curriculum for medical trainees. She also developed a campus-based MSc which uses a ‘flipped classroom model.’
Her commitment to individualised learning prompted one student to comment: "We received unlimited support from you as a Course Director throughout the study period. I can frankly say that we did not only learn endocrine and diabetes in this course but it also adjusted our leadership and interpersonal skills."
The Postgraduate programmes have reached students in 37 countries across six continents.
Maralyn has led on professionalism and governance as well as on gender equality and Athena SWAN in her medical school. She has served as the education lead for her research institute and is now looking forward to what she can achieve when she takes on the role of Deputy Dean for Education (Postgraduate taught courses) in her school this year.