1. Promotion on the Clinician Educator and Clinical Practice Tracks
Larry L. Swift, Ph.D.
Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs
Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology

2. Topics Academic Tracks Clinician Educator Track
Clinical Practice Track
Criteria for Promotion
Procedures for Promotion
Q&A - Discussion

3. Faculty Tracks at VU
Investigator (Basic Scientist/Physician Scientist) (tenure track)
Educator (Basic Science/Clinician)
Clinical Practice
Research
Assistant In/Associate In

4. Tripartite Mission at VUMC
Research
Education
Service

5. Clinician Educator Track
Faculty whose teaching and professional service contributions are essential to the academic mission of the school
Significant achievement in teaching and/or service form major basis for promotion
Promotion – exemplary accomplishments in one area, competency in the other
Academic contributions must be pursued in documented scholarly manner

6. Criteria for Promotion: Service
Provision of exemplary clinical care of such nature as to serve as an excellent role model for students and residents.
Letters from recognized leaders in the field
Invited participation in clinical conferences, rounds, or seminars outside the institution
Case reports
Evidence of influence on practice within the institution and at regional and national levels

7. Criteria for Promotion: Service
Performance of patient care related activities in a manner that extends beyond routine management and is characteristic of the academic clinician.
Publications that review the clinical literature for other clinicians
Introduction of innovative approaches
Participation in establishing standards of care
Participation in clinical trials
Achievements in quality improvement projects

8. Criteria for Promotion: Service
Development of new programs or significant enhancement of existing programs
Includes not only clinical programs, but also programs of importance to other missions of the institution.

9. Criteria for Promotion: Service
Special contributions to the institution in such areas as internal governance, policy development
Service on important policy-making committees of the Medical Center and University
Extramural consultation and activities
Service in community organizations related to one’s academic activities

10. Criteria for Promotion: Teaching
Direct Teaching in both classroom and non-classroom settings
Curricular or Program Development
Advising and Mentoring
Educational Administration or Leadership
Educational Research

11. What Counts
Regional/National/International reputation as an expert in your area
Leadership in teaching: awards, creation of teaching programs, course leadership
Leadership in service:
How have you made a difference?
Evidence of scholarly activity (publications)
Letters from faculty at peer institutions

12. What Doesn’t Count “Routine” performance Time in rank
Filling a slot on a clinical service schedule
Routine teaching activities
Internal talks at VUMC
Letters from former mentors and collaborators have less weight than independent reviewers

13. Clinical Practice Track
Faculty whose “contributions center upon patient care, professional service and/or activities in support of patient care”.
Faculty are expected to “conduct their work in an academic manner, including teaching, which typically occurs in the course of their clinical duties.
Research and scholarship are not a focus of faculty on this track, but are viewed positively.
Promotion - demonstrated excellence in both clinical performance and professional contributions

14. Criteria for Promotion: Service
Sustained excellence in clinical performance
Peer evaluation of clinical performance
Delivery of high quality clinical care
Performance on measures of patient and/or colleague satisfaction
Outstanding clinical productivity
Contributions to and awards for clinical practice
Reputation for excellence

15. Criteria for Promotion: Service
Professional contributions that benefit the Department, School, patients or the faculty member’s field
Administration and leadership
Patient outcomes and quality improvement
Education of patients and service to the community
Service to the field
Academic contributions

16. Overall Procedure
Promotion is initiated within the department by the Chair with input from Division Chief and Mentoring Committee
Meet with Vice Chair to go over the procedures
Dossier is reviewed by departmental A&P committee
Forwarded to Office of Faculty Affairs
Reviewed by School of Medicine A&P committee (FAPC)

17. Overall Procedure
Recommendation of FAPC is forwarded to Executive Committee of the Executive Faculty
Promotion letter to faculty member comes from Dr. Penn’s office
Tenure appointments must be approved by the Chancellor and by Board of Trust

18. Dossier Chair’s letter Standardized curriculum vitae (Vanderbilt form)
Educator Portfolio – documents teaching activities
Critical References Form:
List of publications (5) representing your most significant work
Describe the significance of the work and your contribution

19. Dossier Letters of Evaluation
Minimum of 6-8 letters from individuals who are not mentors or close colleagues and who can assess contributions from a national perspective
Unspecified number of letters from previous trainees, to document impact as an educator
All letters received must be submitted
If necessary Chair’s letter can be used to address any issues raised

20. Departmental A&P Committee
Consists of all tenured full-time faculty within the department
Agnes Fogo serves as chair
Reviews all appointments, reappointments, promotions and mentoring committee reports
Serves in an advisory role to the Chair

21. School of Medicine FAPC
10 committee members (Professor)
Diverse disciplines
Both tenured and non-tenured faculty
Ex officio: John Penn, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Meets bimonthly

22. Additional Information
Academic Track Overview Promotion on the Clinical Practice Track Promotion on the Clinician Educator Track Educator Portfolio

23. QUESTIONS?