Background

Dr. Rathe joined the University of Florida in 1990 to develop the informatics program for the College of Medicine. Prior to his arrival, he completed a two year informatics fellowship at the Harvard School of Public Health. He is board certified in Family Practice and holds a joint appointment with the Department of Community Health and Family Medicine. From 1990 to 1996 he directed the development of the Online Medical Record (OLMR) for the Shands Teaching Hospital. His teaching responsibilities include: Basic Clinical Skills, course director 1995 – present; clinical instructor during the 3rd year Family Medicine clerkship; and Introduction to Medical Informatics, senior elective, 1996 – present. In 1998 he was appointed the Associate Dean for Information Technology.

Under Dr. Rathe’s leadership, the Office of Medical Informatics works directly with faculty to develop computer assisted instruction for undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education. Major projects at this time include: Radiologic Anatomy laser disc and CD-ROM, Human Anatomy laser disc and CD-ROM, Microscopic Anatomy laser disc and CD-ROM, microbiology cases and “bugs” database, general and systemic pathology laser disc and CD-ROM, geriatric education World Wide Web site, Musculoskeletal Pathology laser disc and instructional program, GI tumor imaging, obstetric ultrasound, and head and neck imaging.

The College of Medicine enjoys several advanced programs for online evaluation and assessment, all developed under Dr. Rathe’s supervision. These tools include evalCGI, quizCGI and the Instructor’s Toolkit (ITK). These systems supported performance-based testing in the Harrell Professional Development and Assessment Center. Since 2001 the College has invested in a computer-based Testing Center (figure right), followed by two major expansions. The center currently has 160 dedicated workstaions. Most UF Medical, Dental, and Nursing examinations are now given in these facilities.

Education

National Library of Medicine Medical Informatics Fellowship, Decision Systems Group, Harvard University, Boston, MA; Cheyenne Family Practice Residency, University of Wyoming, Cheyenne, WY; Doctor of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN; Bachelor of Arts, Carleton College, Northfield, MN

Professional Contributions

Founding Officer of the AMIA FP/PC Working Group; Editor of the AMIA FP/PC Working Group Newsletter, 1995 – 2000; Creator of the FAFP Web Site, 1998 – present; Member of AAFP Information Technology Advisory Panel, 1997; Member of AAMC Medical School Objectives Project Informatics Panel, 1997; Chair AAMC SGEA Computers in Medical Education Interest Group, 1996 – present; Organizer of the First Southeast Medical Informatics Conference, 1995; Organizer of the Second Southeast Medical Informatics Conference, 1996

Interests

Computer-Assisted Instruction, Computer-Based Patient Records, Personal Digital Assistants/Handheld Computers, Wireless Communications, Use of Internet Technologies for Education and Patient Care

Selected Publications and Presentations

Piltdown Link Checker 2005.

XAM: An Internet Application for High Stakes Examinations; Rathe R; Cornwall G; Karle C; MedInfo 2004.

Curriculum in Radiology Reporting; Rathe R; Lanier L; Sistrom C; MedInfo 2004.

The Complete Physical; Rathe R; AM FAM PHYSICIAN 68(7).

Using Standardized Patients as Teachers; Davidson, RA; Rathe RJ; ACADEMIC MEDICINE, 2001;c76(8):840-3. Invited Speaker Second

Graylyn Conference on Medical Education, May 2001, Wake Forest University.

Online Evaluation Tutorial, Presented at the Fall 1998 AMIA Symposium, the 1999 SGEA Conference, and the 1999 Slice of Life Conference. Using the Internet Effectively, presented at the 1998 AAFP Annual Convention.

Finding What You Need on the Internet. Rathe, RJ; FAM PRACT MANAGEMENT. 1997; 4(5):45-55.

Honors and Awards

Reassignment by Invitation to the National Board of Medical Examiners, 2006

Celebration of Excellence Award, University of Florida College of Medicine Curriculum Committee, 2002

Special Recognition Award, Florida Academy of Family Physicians, 1998

Superior Accomplishment Award, University of Florida, 1996

Cum Laude Award for “Radiologic Anatomy”, InfoRAD, RSNA, 1993