Skip to main content
John L. Szarek, PhD, CHSE

Professor of Pharmacology
Vice Chair for Curriculum
Department of Medical Education
North Campus

LOCATION(S)
Geisinger College of Health Sciences School of Medicine
Medical Sciences Building
525 Pine St.
Office 3053
Scranton, PA 18509
570-955-1322
Fax: 570-504-9663
jszarek@som.geisinger.edu

John L. Szarek, BPharm, PhD

Research interests

John L. Szarek, BPharm, PhD, is professor of pharmacology and vice chair of curriculum at Geisinger College of Health Sciences School of Medicine. Dr. Szarek received his PhD in pharmaceutical sciences from University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, a bachelor of science in pharmacy from University of Illinois Chicago College of Pharmacy and a bachelor of science in biology from University of Illinois Urbana.

Prior to joining Geisinger School of Medicine’s faculty, Dr. Szarek spent 16 years on the faculty at Marshall University School of Medicine where he was involved in scientific research that resulted in numerous articles.

He spent 5 years in Dominica as the chair of pharmacology at Ross University School of Medicine. There he started and ran the simulation program for the second-year medical students. Dr. Szarek came to Geisinger Commonwealth from A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona where he was professor of pharmacology and director of human simulation.

Dr. Szarek has participated in many workshops on teaching and learning including 2 sponsored by the Harvard Macy Institute. Dr. Szarek received additional training in communication and teamwork and is a master trainer in Team Strategies & Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS). 

His interests focus on the use of technology in medical education. He has conducted workshops for medical school faculty on the local and national level on several topics including facilitating small group sessions, the use of simulation in medical education, question writing, flipped classrooms and presentation skills. Dr. Szarek is co-director of the Pharmacology Education Project, a web resource of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology.

Recent publications

Refereed publications (education-related)

  • Cho Y, Szarek JL. Integrating task-technology fit and community of practice theories to enhance medical educator skill confidence in generative AI: design, implementation, and pilot outcomes. Short Communication, Medical Science Educator, Accepted
  • Teixeira-Santos L, Monteiro T, Sousa C, Ferreira de Melo Junior A, Morello J, Szarek JL, Monteiro EC, Pereira SA. Defining core concepts in pharmacokinetics for undergraduate medical education through a multidisciplinary approach. Eur J Pharmacol. 2025; 1003: DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2025.177926
  • Cho Y, Park GL, Waite GN, Mudigonda A, Szarek JL. Development of a Universal Prompt as a Scalable Generative AI-Assisted Tool for USMLE Step 1 Style Multiple-Choice Question Refinement in Medical Education. Med Sci Edu. 25 February 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-025-02334-7
  • Szarek JL, Guilding C, Maxwell S. Transforming Pharmacology Education: Insights from the Pharmacology Education Project in the Era of Digital Learning. Eur J Pharmacol. Preproof: https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S0014-2999(25)00011-1 
  • Szarek JL. Bridging Two Worlds: A Basic Scientist's Transformative Path in Healthcare Simulation. Sim Healthcare. doi: 10.1097/SIH.0000000000000845 
  • Gullo C, Cho Y, Szarek JL, Waite GN, Quesnelle KM, Prunuske A. Development of a generalist competency framework for medical education Leaders in Longitudinal Integrated Curricula (LILIC). Med Sci Educ. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-024-02185-8 
  • Quesnelle K, Zaveri N, Schneid S, Blumer JB, Szarek JL, Kruidering M, Lee MW. Commentary: The Importance of Collaboratively Designing Pharmacology Education Programs. Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2021; 9:e00762. (https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.762)
  • Quesnelle K, Zaveri N, Schneid S, Blumer JB, Szarek JL, Kruidering M, Lee MW. Design of a Foundational Sciences Curriculum: Applying the ICAP Framework to Pharmacology Education in Integrated Medical Curricula. Pharmacology Research & Perspectives 11 May 2021 (https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.762)
  • Dong C, Szarek JL, Reed T. The Flipped Classroom and Simulation: A Primer for Simulation Educators. Med Sci Educ 2020; 30:1627–1632.
  • Piper BJ, et al. A Quantitative and Narrative Evaluation of Goodman and Gilman’s Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Pharmacy 2020; 8:1-20.
  • Szarek JL, Cho Y, Waite GN, Mentoring Basic Science Faculty Using the Novel CSW Framework. In Mentoring in Health Professions Education: Evidence-Informed Strategies, edited by Fornari A, Shah D. Springer, 2021.
  • Jeffries WB, Huggett KN, Szarek, JL. Flipping the Classroom. In An Introduction to Medical Teaching, 3rd Edition edited by Huggett KD,
  • Jeffries WB, Quesnelle K. Springer, 2021. Jeffries WB, Huggett KN, Szarek, JL. Lectures. In A Practical Guide for Medical Teachers 6e edited by Dent JA, Harden RM, and Hunt D. Elsevier, Canada 2021.
  • Kozmenko V, Kozmenko L, Szarek JL, Kaye A. Simulation in Remote Areas. In  Clinical Simulation: Education, Operations, and Engineering 2e edited by Chiniara G. Academic Press, London 2019.
  • Faccenda E, Maxwell S, Szarek JL. The IUPHAR Pharmacology Education Project. Clin Pharm Therap 2019; 106:45-48.
  • Szarek JL, Boardman JM, White M, Holt JT. Integrated and flipped: 5 Year’s experience of integrating active learning in an integrated course. Med Sci Educ 2016; 26: 159-167.
  • Holt JT, Szarek JL. Organ Recitals: A large group active learning technique. In IAMSE Manuals: How-to guide for active learning. Edited by A. Fornari (Hofstra North Shore School of Medicine) and A. Poznanski (California Northstate University College of Medicine), IAMSE, Leiden, Netherlands and WV, USA, 2015.
  • Holt JT, Ghormoz, J, Sung Y-J, White MV, Szarek JL. Medical Student Benefit from Learning Objectives Correlates to Specific Myers-Briggs Types. Medical Science Educator 2015, 10.1007/s40670-015-0133-7.
  • Foote EF, Clarke V, Szarek JL, Waters SK, Walline V, Shea D, Goss S, Farrell M, Easton D, Dunleavy E, Arscott K. Development and Evaluation of a Regional, Large-Scale Interprofessional Collaborative Care Summit. Journal of Allied Health. 2015; 44(2): 23E-28E.
  • Holt JT, Ghormoz J, Sung Y-J, Szarek JL, White MW. Targeting Pedagogies for Appropriate Learners: Downloading Learning Objectives Increases Exam Scores for Men. Med Science Educ. 2015; 25: 45-51.
  • Szarek JL, Manetti W, Zielinski D, Heckman C, Shea D, Arscott K, Pellegrino A, Triano M, Spelman D. Trials and Tribulations in the Development of a Simulation-Based Interprofessional Education Activity. Med Sci Educ 2013; 23(3S): 542-553.
  • Foote E, Szarek JL, Arscott K, Brady J, Clarke V, Easton D, Farrell M, Goss S, Walline V, Waters S. A Large Scale, Collaborative Care Summit to Promote Interprofessional Learning: Ischemic Stroke. MedEdPORTAL; 2013. Available from: www.mededportal.org/publication/9306
     

Selected invited/peer-reviewed presentations

  • Szarek JL. Using AI in Pharmacology Education: Promises and Threats. Panel Discussion. Annual meeting of the Association of Medical School Pharmacology Chairs, New Orleans LA, February 2026
  • Stone AE, Cho Y, Szarek JL, Waite GN and Vida T. Leveling up your generative AI tool kit: Crafting custom GPTs for tomorrow's healthcare education. Focus Session. 29th annual meeting, International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE), Calgary, Canada, June 2025.
  • Toal K*, Smith N*, Szarek JL. Longitudinal Assessment of Medical Student Perspectives on Pain Management and Opioid Prescribing from Preclinical to Clinical Years. Geisinger Educational Scholarship Symposium, Danville PA, 8 May 2025 (*GCSOM Class 2027).
  • Szarek JL, Lounsbury K. Mandatory / NonMandatory Attendance in Medical Education. IAMSE Café, virtual presentation, February 2025.
  • Cho Y, Stone A, Szarek JL, Vida T. AI Kickstart for Medical Educators: Practical Approaches to Get Started Today. Presented virtually at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead NY, 30 October 2024.
  • Klig J, Chou C, Kalet A, Szarek JL, Arnott J, Waite GN, Lyons V, Teal C, Chico D, Mott K, Reeser M. Where are we headed with a learner who struggles? Launching remediation pathways, Presented virtually at Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Building Better Curriculum Series, Washington, D.C., 23 October 2024.
  • Pandit K, Andon A, Snell L, Szarek J, Zhang B. Teachers’ Self-Assessments: The Road Less Traveled. Virtual 90-min faculty development workshop. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, August 2024
  • Cho Y, Salvato J, Szarek JL, Stone AEL, Vide T, Waite GN. AI Kickstart for Medical Educators: Workshop. Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, UNLV. May 2024. 
  • Lobo S, Arnott J, Szarek JL. Using a “Teams” Approach to Develop and Share Biochemistry Content in an Integrated Curriculum. Association of Biochemistry Educators, Virtual Summit, 18 April 2024.
  • Pelkowski M, Arnott JA, Waite GN, Lyons VT, Teal C, Szarek JL. Remediation in Shortened, Integrated Pre-clerkship Curricula: Exploring Challenges and Solutions - Problem solving session. The Generalists in Medical Education annual meeting, Seattle WA, November 2023.
  • Szarek JL, Bremer D, Danelisen I, Koestler J, Marshall B, Shamansky A, Shetty S, Shoemaker M, Zangardi J, Waite GN. Isn't it Obvious: Application of Foundational Sciences in the Clinical Phase. Invited presentation: Alliance for Clinical Education. 30 October 2023.
  • Szarek JL. The IUPHAR Pharmacology Education Project: Navigation and Using Materials in Teaching. Symposium: Teaching pharmacology in the flipped classroom: digital tools and resources for pre-work and active learning. WCP2023, Glasgow, UK.
  • Arnott J, Cho Y, Hale A, Lounsbury K, Stemrich R, Sulzinski M, Szarek JL, Waite G, Zhang B. Standing Together with Standard Operating Procedures for Curriculum Delivery. Workshop. NEGEA 2023, Burlington VT. 
  • Waite G, Sulzinski M, Arnott J, Townsend J, Szarek JL, Cho Y. Reimagining Faculty Promotion at Academic Health Systems. Problem solving session. The Generalists in Medical Education 2022. Nashville TN, November 2022.
  • Quesnelle KM, Blumer J, Lee M, Tuan R, Szarek JL,. Envisioning the Scope of Pharmacology Education for the Next Decade. Symposium. ASPET 2022, Philadelphia PA, April 2022.
  • Szarek JL, Horsley L, Callendar D, Reed T. Designing simulation-enhanced interprofessional education: Application of a 6-step model. IAMSE 2021 virtual conference, June 2021
  • Szarek JL, Cho Y, Waite GN. Quantitative Educational Methodologies. 11th Annual Our Mission to Teach Educational Scholarship: Making Your Work Count Twice. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA, USA, Feb 27, 2020.
  • Szarek JL, Reed T, Horsley TL, Guthridge J, Callender D. Designing simulation-based interprofessional education for novice to experienced teams. Workshop, IMSH 2020, San Diego CA, Jan 2020.
  • Shoemaker M, Woll N, Thompsom M, Slampak-Cindric A, Szarek J. Building Competencies in Health Professions: The Patient Safety Curricular Resource. Podium presentation, ABMS Conference 2019, Chicago IL, September 2019.
  • Quesnelle KM, Kruidering M, Zaveri N, Blumer J, Schneid S, Szarek JL, Lee M. Themes and Threads, Oh My: Managing a Longitudinal Discipline Across an Integrated Curriculum. Focus Session IAMSE 2019, Roanoke VA, June 2019.
  • Szarek JL, Reed T, Horsley TL, Manetti W, Callender D. Designing simulation-based interprofessional education for novice to experienced teams. Workshop, IMSH 2019, San Antonio TX, Jan 2019
  • Szarek JL, Waite G, Borham K, Parmelee D, J Moore. To attend or not to attend, should that be a question? Class Attendance in the Age of Active Learning and Flipped Classrooms. Problem Solving Session, TGME 2018, Austin TX, Nov 2018.
  • Szarek JL. Taxonomy and structure of the Pharmacology Education Project website; part of symposium, Introducing the IUPHAR Pharmacology Education Project - www.pharmacologyeducation.org. WCP2018, Kyoto Japan, July 2018.
  • Szarek JL. Interprofessional Education: An overview and approaches to IPE in health professions education. WCP2018, Kyoto Japan, July 2018.
  • Szarek JL, Gnecco S, Callender D. M. Sheakley. Strategies for Implementing Simulation in Preclinical Medical Education. Podium presentation, IMSH 2017, Orlando FL, Jan 2017.
  • Szarek JL, Zalon M, Subasic K, Arscott K, Callender D. Developing an Interprofessional Simulation-Based Learning Activity for Health Professions Students. Podium presentation, IAMSE 2016, Netherlands.
  • Active Learning 2.0: The Flipped Course. University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington VT, 29 April 2016.
  • Internet-based solutions to alleviate shortages of pharmacology faculty in developing countries. Symposium Co-chair. Question writing for any occasion: Use of questions in assessment and learning. WCP2014, Cape Town SA
  • Preparing learning people: Don’t be afraid . . . you can do it. Plenary presentation and workshop as part of the 2014 Spring Symposium and Faculty Development Day-Active Learning: Teaching based on Learning. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans LA, 2 April 2014
     

Education

Bachelor in Pharmacy – University of Illinois College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL
Bachelor in Biology – University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
PhD – University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, KY

Content from General Links with modal content