Promotions (FAP) Committee at Boston University School of Medicine

for Early Career Faculty-Academy for Faculty Advancement

Kitt Shaffer, MD PhD FACRChair FAP at BUSM

Professor of RadiologyVice-Chair for Education in Radiology

Committee• Administration

–Trang TranManager of Faculty ActionsOffice of the Dean and Provost, BUSM

617-638-5301ttran16@bu.edu

Committee members• Chair, Kitt Shaffer MD PhD FACR, Professor Radiology

• Vice-Chair, Harold Lazar MD, Professor Surgery• Karen Antman MD, Provost and Dean• Tsuneya Ikezu MD PhD, Professor Pharmacology*• Michael Sherman PhD, Professor of Biochemistry*• Elizabeth Barnett MD, Professor Pediatrics• Emelia Benjamin MD, Professor Cardiovascular Medicine• Robert Stern PhD, Professor Neurology/Neurosurgery• Jennifer Vasterling PhD, Professor Psychiatry (VA)• Mieke Verfaellie PhD, Professor Psychiatry (VA, Alternate)

*new members, Jan 2015

Appointment & Promotions procedures

• Associate or Professors presented in detail and discussed by group

• Assistant and Instructor approved without discussion unless members have questions

• Chair reviews ALL files in detail– entered into a database to track qualifications

Promotions-final approval• Since Jan 2012,“All faculty appointments shall be

approved by the President and reported to the Corporation”– As before, President Brown delegates to the

BUSM Provost the approval of:• modified titles (Adjunct, Clinical, Emeritus, Visiting)

• Instructors, Assistant Professors

– Balance of advocacy for faculty and equity with adherence to established criteria

your CV

• TAKE CHARGE of your CV!• download BUSM template• modify, if needed, for YOUR career

BUSM CV template

• http://www.bumc.bu.edu/provost/ap/appforms/

• or Google ‘BUSM promotions’

Reference Letters

Rank Total number

from non-BU faculty

Instructor 3Assistant Professor 3Associate Professor - 6 Professor - 6

All promotions criteria and forms are available on BUSM website-google: “BUSM promotions” or go to http://www.bumc.bu.edu/provost/ap/appforms/

Letters• This is NOT the same as a letter of

reference for a job!– First paragraph should state any relationship to

the applicant, which ideally should be minimal (unbiased)

– Writers should NOT be mentors, mentees, close collaborators, long-term colleagues

Letters• Should focus on extent of reputation

–Regional (Asst Professor)–National (Assoc Professor/Professor)–Strong national/ International

(Professor)

it is never TOO SOON to be thinking of who to ask for letters!

• can all be LOCAL up to Assistant level• in future, will need to be from OUTSIDE• committee chairs, editors, leaders

how to get National Reputation

• journal reviewing• volunteer for committees• go to national meetings and NETWORK• volunteer for other activities

– grant review panels– meeting organizing groups

Denials in recent years

Summary Data: Assoc Professor, unmodified since 12/11

N=10

N=25

N=35

N=15

Summary Data: Professor, unmodified since 12/11

N=4

N=18

N=5

N=22

what are requirements for Assistant?

• ONE recent peer reviewed publication

modified appointments

• Clinical (intended for clinically oriented faculty who teach but do not do scholarly work, often at sites away from BMC)

modified appointments

• Research (intended for researchers who are working under the guidance of a senior researcher, not working independently)

PhD vs Clinician

• same criteria for both• some areas will obviously be different

– level of grant funding– number and type of scholarly works

grant funding

• is it required for promotion?

Recent denials• Insufficient publications• Insufficient documentation of

scope of reputation • Issues with letters-

(not arm’s length, not strong, not enough discussion of reputation)

What if promotion is denied?

FAP Chair sends detailed email explaining issues– options for faculty to improve CV– advice on any insufficient documentation– FAP chair meeting with chair or faculty, if desired

•Bylaws allow formal appeal to Provost by faculty member who was denied promotion

questions?