The Path to a Successful Career in Academic Medicine Thomas R. Martin, M.D. Professor and Chief of Medicine VA Puget Sound Health Care System University of Washington Seattle, WA UWMCHMCVAMC FHCRC
Aspects of a Successful Career Professional satisfaction Personal happiness “Family” happiness “I’d do this all again... Probably”
Elements of a Successful Career Professional satisfaction > making a contribution clinical care teaching research
Clinician/ Teacher Physician Scientist Clinician/ Clinician Clinical Science Lab Science YOU Career Pathways Clinical Care and Teaching Clinical Care and Service
Clinician/ Teacher Physician Scientist Clinician/ Clinician Clinical Science Lab Science YOU Funding Mechanisms Clinical Care and Teaching Clinical Care and Service NIH, VA, Foundations, Private Divisions, Departments, Hospitals Federal and Private Payors, Hospitals
Career Milestones: Physician Scientist Fellow Instructor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Professor Fellowship Awards NIH K08 NIH RO1 VA Merit NIH RO1 VA Merit Other awards Study sections “emerging reputation” NIH RO1 PPG VA “established national reputation”
Career Milestones: Clinician Educator Fellow Instructor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Professor Fellowship Awards Clinical Care Teaching Local Awards Major local Teaching awards Educational leadership Regional/National Reputation National awards
Career Milestones: Clinician-Clinician Fellow Instructor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Professor Education in Clinical Care Clinical Care Local leadership Clinical Care Local and Regional leadership Regional Leadership
Thoughts About Grants... Fellowship Awards NIH K Awards NIH RO1 VA Merit PPG 1/3 person 1/3 project 1/3 mentor Science is important 1/3 person 1/3 training potential 1/3 mentor Training is important 75% science 25% productivity of PI and lab Innovation... Science, Group interactions
BMC Health Services Research 2008:8:120
Items of the Career-Success Scale (CSS) BMC Health Services Research 2008:8:120
JAMA 2006;296:1103
Building a Successful Career Find an area that you like Find a guide whom you trust Find a group that you like Be prepared to build your own success Don’t be afraid to change