The Kaplan Team is often cited as why schools stay with Kaplan, year after year. At Kaplan, there’s an expert at the heart of everything we do, whether it’s leading a class or developing innovative tools to help your students achieve their career goals. With our “Meet the Kaplan Experts” blog series, we introduce you to Kaplan’s extensive network of faculty, medical, and educational experts and delve into their diverse areas of expertise so that you can learn even more about your Kaplan team. This week, we're pleased to introduce you to Melissa King, i-Human Patients by Kaplan Account & Implementation Manager.

Tell Us About Yourself

I have always had a passion for using creativity to solve problems and help others! 

During my 9 years at Kaplan, I’ve been fortunate to work with many types of experts, and have learned a great deal from each and every one: from US and international medical students to nursing faculty, and from institutional partners to standardized patients. 

Before starting my Kaplan journey, I graduated from Montclair State University in NJ. I went on to work as a music therapist, specializing in using music to facilitate communication with children with special needs, primarily autistic spectrum disorders. It was rewarding work and I am blessed to have worked with the kids and families.  

While taking post-baccalaureate courses, I volunteered as a conference coordinator, and I took my first role at Kaplan: a part time position with the USMLE Step 2 CS program. Throughout my time with CS, I found myself constantly inspired by the determination and strength of the students studying within the program. Many traveled, relocated families, learned new languages, maintained other coursework, had full-time jobs on top of their studies, and persevered through admirable circumstances in order to achieve their dreams of becoming licensed physicians. 

I held various positions within Step 2 CS―first a part time exam proctor, then a program coordinator, then program manager, then national program manager. Along the way, I also worked as a standardized patient when needed, and graded student-written patient notes. As program manager, I contributed to standardizing program operations on a national scale and managed the national team of standardized patients and physician faculty. 

My current role is Account & Implementation Manager of i-Human Patients by Kaplan. I am excited to work directly with our institutional partners―medical and nursing faculty―and assist them with day-to-day use of the i-Human Patients product. 

Tell Us About Your Experience in Medical Education

What innovations at Kaplan are you most excited about?

i-Human Patients by Kaplan, of course! The i-Human Patients product is constantly developing and expanding its repertoire: adding additional cases, additional functionality, building new functionalities―and being a part of the process is exciting.

In your opinion, what is the number one thing that sets Kaplan apart in the industry?

I believe the thing that sets Kaplan apart is, in addition to our high-quality products, our ability to provide excellent service to our customers. 

Additionally, our ability to pivot quickly and adjust to the needs of the market set Kaplan as a leader! When the pandemic hit, Kaplan swiftly and effectively was ready to meet the needs of our current institutional partners, as well as new ones.

Share Your Thoughts About The Issues Medical Educators Are Facing Today

What is the most pressing issue facing your institutional partners today and how can Kaplan help solve those problems?

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented educators with a need for virtual solutions in an uncertain environment. Kaplan has always been well-equipped for a virtual landscape―with products such as i-Human Patients, Live Online offerings, On Demand Videos and QBanks―and now even more so.

What will the future of education be like for students and faculty?

More digital, more versatile, more flexible, more customizable! 

Advice

Is there a quote or saying that you live by?

“Be the change you wish to see in the world,”

and of course,

“Never give up!” 

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