DEPARTMENTAL CLINICAL SCHOLAR STATEMENT
PROMOTION CRITERIA AND STANDARDS
I. INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT
This document describes the criteria and standards which will be used to evaluate whether candidates meet the criteria for promotion in the Clinical Scholar Track.
The criteria, standards and procedures are applied without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, veteran status or sexual orientation.
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 Internal Medicine 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, providing outstanding and state-of-the-art patient care, providing continued medical education for physicians, and supporting basic and applied research to clinical problems.
III. STANDARDS FOR PROMOTION
The Department of Medicine accepts and subscribes to the statement in the Criteria and Standards for Promotion of Faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School, with the following standards specific to the department:
A. To Assistant Professor
A candidate for promotion to Assistant Professor is judged according to the following standards:
1. Three or more years M.D. or Ph.D. experience and evidence of having the potential for meeting the Department's Associate Professor criteria in the future.
2. Letters of evaluation from individuals, especially from preceptors and/or supervisors with whom the candidate has worked, to provide evidence of excellent clinical skills, educational activity, and/or scholarship.
An academic development plan in education, clinical research or clinical scholarship to ensure a high potential for promotion.
Evidence of scholarship. The evidence may include publications, development of educational products or curricula, formal training beyond Residency Program such as a Masters or Ph.D. degree, Fellowship certification, academic courses, or presentations at regional or national meetings.
B. To Associate Professor
A candidate for promotion to Associate Professor is judged according to evidence of excellent reputation inside and outside the Twin Cities areas as an authority and leader in a clinical specialty. This may be demonstrated by patient referrals, participation in administrative and leadership groups related to the clinical specialty, invited visiting lectureships, and leadership in professional societies, or other national recognition. In addition, the candidate must meet at least two of the three following criteria:
1. Evidence of high quality contributions to the teaching of medical students, residents, fellows, post-graduate students, CME attendees, or other health professions. This may include recognition from formal peer evaluations, student evaluations or teaching awards.
2. Evidence of scholarly contributions to clinical medicine, as manifested by either
- Continuing publication of clinical observations, reviews, or analytic studies in peer-reviewed journals that are recognized as authoritative, and that influence the practice of clinical medicine or education,
- Continued development of teaching materials, including new curriculum offerings, education programs, textbooks, syllabi, computer programs, or videotapes that make a unique contribution to quality and methods of teaching a given subject through the medical school and outside the local community. There should be published evidence of these activities.
3. Research efforts as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, receipt of extramural support, or participation in multi-center trials.
A candidate for promotion to Professor is judged according to their previous service as an Associate Professor, with major accomplishments in teaching and clinical service, AND at least two of the three below:
1. Acknowledged leader in the practice of a clinical specialty, with a national reputation for superior accomplishments in a clinical specialty as demonstrated by academic recognition or awards, a leadership role in the department or hospital, as well as the testimonials of distinguished practitioners in the same field.
2. Excellence in mentoring as evidenced by having mentored residents, fellows, or junior faculty, who develop successful academic careers, AND
evidence of ongoing scholarly contributions to clinical medicine as manifested by either
- Development and dissemination of original teaching materials, such as new curriculum offerings, educational programs, syllabi, video materials, or computer programs that are adopted for use at other medical centers. Recognition for being among the very best teachers for medical students, residents, specialty fellows, or CME attendees. The impact of superb teaching should be apparent locally and nationally as demonstrated by invitations to serve as a visiting professor or named lecturer. There should be published evidence of these activities.
- Recent publication in peer-reviewed journals of analytic clinical studies, comprehensive clinical reviews, or textbooks and chapters that are recognized as exerting a major influence on the practice of medicine nationally. May serve as editor to textbooks or journals.
3. National recognition of clinical research activities as evidenced by participation in foundation Boards, leadership of multi-center clinical trials, research publications, etc.
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 promotion in rank. The pertinent documents are identified as exhibits enclosed with a cover memorandum from the Dean.
Designated 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 Medical School and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
