DEPARTMENT OF DERMATOLOGY
CLINICAL SCHOLAR TRACK CRITERIA
The mission of the Medical School is to conduct high quality programs of research, education, and service through which the college contributes significantly to the provision of excellent health care for the people of Minnesota.
The Department of Dermatology is committed to the overall objectives of the University of Minnesota and its Medical School in maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence in programs of undergraduate and graduate medical education, in the application of necessary clinical services to patients, continued medical education for physicians, and basic and applied research to clinical problems.
Clinical Scholar Track Faculty in the Department of Dermatology are expected to participate in research/scholarship, education, applied medical science, and service, with the following standards specific to the department.
Faculty are expected to spend some time on research or other scholarship. Scholarship may include:
1. Publication in peer-reviewed journals of clinical observations, clinical trials, reviews,
or comprehensive case series that enhances the practice of medicine or educational
Peer-reviewed journals that are recognized as outstanding and appropriate to the discipline include, but are not necessarily limited to:
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
British Journal of Dermatology
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
New England Journal of Medicine
2. Publication of reviews, best clinical practices, or educational offerings in chapters,
textbooks, syllabi, educational web-based programs, and videotapes.
3. Development of new curriculum offerings or educational materials including computer
programs and videotapes that improve the quality of instruction.
4. Development of new technology or patented discoveries.
5. Participation in translational research that fosters discoveries across disciplines.
6. Recognition by professional peers as an excellent communicator and lecturer as
evidenced by invited participation in discipline-related symposia, meetings,
conferences, and seminars.
7. Demonstrated ability to secure intramural or extramural research funding as
demonstrated by being the recipient of a grant or contract as a principal investigator, a
co-investigator, or similar title. Potential sources of funding include, but are not
Biomedical and device industry
National or regional granting agencies
Teaching activities may occur in a variety of educational settings and formats, including:
didactic presentations, lectures, seminars, conferences, tutorials, laboratories, advising of students, case discussions, grand rounds, hospital and clinic rounds, patient care, during surgical and other procedures, and as continuing medical education. A faculty member in the clinical scholar track regularly spends significant time in teaching in these venues. The following are educational activities in which competence and accomplishments in teaching can be demonstrated:
1. Regularly commits to the effort of teaching of undergraduates, medical students,
residents, fellows, physicians in practice, and the general public in the venues listed
2. Involved in curricular decisions.
3. Develops teaching materials.
4. Disseminates innovations in teaching.
5. Is recognized for high quality teaching through awards and distinction in evaluations.
6. Involved in teaching educational methods, best practices, and leadership.
C. APPLIED MEDICAL SCIENCE
Clinical scholar track faculty are expected to spend a significant time in clinical care. Excellence in clinical care cannot substitute for the primary criteria of scholarship and education. Participation, competence, and excellence can be demonstrated by, but are not necessarily limited to:
1. Recognition by peers and students as a health care professional committed to quality
patient care or related patient service.
2. Reputation of excellence established locally and at the national level as evidenced by
election to distinguished societies or selection to lists of excellence (i.e., Best Doctors),
or by other documentation.
3. Participation in projects to monitor clinical outcomes.
4. Participation in projects to implement quality improvements.
5. Development of state of the art programs to deliver improved care or care to
Service, although not a primary criterion for promotion, will be taken into account in making decisions on promotion. Performance or service, however exemplary, cannot substitute for the primary criteria of scholarship and education.[Author ID1: at Thu Nov 20 13:38:00 2003 ]. Excellence in service can be demonstrated, but is not limited to:
1. Active participation in or leadership of committees at the department, medical school,
Academic Health Center, university, or hospital level.
2. Service and/or leadership in local and national organizations.
3. Outreach programs to local and rural community related to teaching and applied
4. Service as an editor or member of an editorial board of a reputable journal or
monograph in a related discipline.
The Department of Dermatology accepts and subscribes to the statement on criteria and standards for promotion of faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School, with the following standards specific to the department.
Appointment to the rank of Assistant Professor requires completion of clinical training to meet the requirements for the American Board of Dermatology or it's equivalent board. Individuals being proposed to the rank of Assistant Professor should provide evidence of a commitment to scholarship, education, and applied medical sciences. Documentation of skill in teaching and research must be available in the curriculum vitae and from letters of support from nationally known dermatologists. Physicians must be able to demonstrate excellence in the practice of their specialty.
The standards and criteria for appointment or promotion to the rank of Associate Professor in the clinical scholar track are those stated by the University of Minnesota Medical School. Faculty are expected to support and foster all aspects of the academic mission of the Department of Dermatology, including research and scholarship, education, applied medical science, and service with a significant portion of their time spent in clinical practice as described in the above listed department standards. While it is understood that faculty in the clinical scholar track will spend their time in a mix of promoting scholarship, education, and applied medical science, the faculty may have a particular emphasis or distinction in either scholarship, research, or education. Please note: scholarship is necessary for promotion. This means there must be publication (handouts, syllabi, web-based material, manuscripts in a journal, etc.) related to teaching, research, or clinical review. Specific criteria for consideration to the Associate Professor rank may include, but are not limited to:
a. publication of clinical observations, reviews, or analytical studies in peer-
reviewed journals that are recognized as authoritative and that influence the
practice of medicine or educational practice.
b. development of patented products and technology, or development of new
c. evidence of attraction of extramural grant, industry, or foundation support as
principal investigator or major collaborator to support clinical research
d. continued development of new principles of teaching or teaching materials that
make a unique contribution to quality methods of learning in a given subject
through the medical school or outside in the local community.
a. teaches medical students, residents, and fellows in a variety of educational
settings and formats, including: didactic presentations, lectures, seminars,
conferences, tutorials, laboratories, grand rounds, hospital and clinical rounds,
patient care, surgical and other procedures, and continuing medical education.
b. consistently receives excellent evaluations for teaching by medical students,
residents, and fellows, or by receiving teaching awards. The impact and value
of the teaching should be recognized beyond the local level as demonstrated by
invitations to teach at other hospitals or other medical schools, programs of
professional societies, or continuing medical education courses.
c. evidence of teaching excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral,
and continuing medical education levels by written statement of the head of the
department and academic peers familiar with the candidate's performance in
d. regularly attends and participates in teaching activities including, but not
limited to: formal conferences, ward rounds, small group teaching sessions,
medical student lectures, research conferences, and symposia hosted by the
e. acts as an advisor and mentor to medical students, residents, and fellows.
3. Applied medical science. Must continue to demonstrate an excellent reputation inside
and outside the Twin Cities area as an authority. This can be demonstrated by:
1. Patient referrals from outside the area.
2. Invited visiting lectureships.
3. Participation in projects to monitor clinical outcomes.
4. Participation in quality services, such as quality improvement.
5. Clinical excellence or development of new clinical programs.
6. Demonstrates distinction by service to local, regional, or national professional
7. Letters from local and nationally recognized clinicians evaluating the
individual's contribution to the field.
Service and/or leadership in department, medical school, Academic Health Center, University, or hospital committees or local/national organizations.
The standards and criteria for appointment or promotion to the rank of Professor in the clinical scholar track are those stated by the University of Minnesota Medical School. Faculty are expected to support and foster all aspects of the academic mission of the Department of Dermatology, including research and scholarship, education, applied medical science, and service with a significant portion of their time spent in clinical practice as described in above listed departmental standards. Please note: scholarship is necessary for promotion. This means there must be publication (handouts, syllabi, web-based material, manuscripts in a journal, etc.) related to teaching, research, or clinical review. Specific criteria for consideration as a Professor may include, but are not limited to:
a. continue to sustain scholarly contributions as demonstrated by first or senior
author publications in high quality professional peer-reviewed journals.
Individuals at this level are expected to have a substantial quantity of
publications with exception that there will be a larger contribution as senior
author since appointment or promotion to rank of Associate Professor.
Distinction in research/scholarship requires evidence of national and/or
international reputation, including leadership roles in national and/or
international professional societies.
a. continued excellence in teaching as demonstrated by the above listed standards.
Recognition for being among the very best teachers by medical students,
residents, fellows, or CME attendees.
3. Applied Medical Science
a. continued substantial contributions to patient care including national and/or
international reputation for advancement of the specialty as demonstrated by
invitations to membership or leadership in prestigious professional societies,
other recognitions or awards, and testimonials of distinguished practitioners in
In considering proposals for tenure and/or promotion in rank, the Medical School and it departments comply with the procedures described in the document “Procedures for Reviewing Performances of Probationary Faculty,” distributed annually by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. These procedures are provided for by Sections 16.3, 7.4, and 7.61 of the Regulations Concerning Faculty Tenure.
The Medical School issues annually to each department, for distribution and information to faculty members, a set of instructions, memoranda, and other documents, giving detailed information on the procedures to be followed in the preparation and consideration of each proposal for tenure and/or promotion in rank. The pertinent documents are identified as exhibits enclosed with a cover memorandum from the Dean.
Designated non-tenured faculty members holding appropriate appointment and rank at affiliated hospitals are eligible to vote on proposals for promotion in rank of candidates, in accordance with approval for this procedure granted by the University Tenure Committee and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
