Four years ago, WashU Medicine made an intentional investment in faculty development, career support and promotion guidance by establishing the Office of Faculty Promotions and Career Development. As a world-class institution, we are home to exceptional faculty. Those faculty need and deserve world-class support to navigate their careers. That’s where my office comes in.
From promotion guidance to coaching, leadership development and support through senior career transitions, we help faculty build the skills they need to excel at every stage.
The benefits of this investment extend across our community. When faculty become more effective leaders and managers, mentors, coaches and sponsors, they strengthen communication, build trust, and create environments where colleagues, staff and learners can grow and thrive.
Our goal is to develop, encourage, recognize and support faculty throughout their careers. While many assume that faculty development is only for those in the early stages of their careers, this is simply not the case. Of course, we offer plenty of opportunities for our early-career faculty. But mid-career faculty development is a key focus for our team, and our most senior leaders regularly participate in our programs.
For example, in our Pivotal Leaders Program, division directors and section chiefs participate in intensive sessions covering topics such as management, communication, strategic planning and building a leadership pipeline. Those sessions are paired with 360-degree evaluations and one-on-one executive coaching, giving participants a fuller understanding of their leadership strengths and areas for growth, along with the individualized support they need to strengthen their skills.
Our goal is to develop, encourage, recognize and support faculty throughout their careers.
Mentorship is also critical to faculty success. Our five-session Faculty Mentorship Certificate Program trains faculty to be better mentors — whether they’re guiding new faculty through their first years or helping a senior colleague think through succession planning.
We’ve also trained our first cohort of faculty to serve as certified coaches, providing short-term, developmental coaching engagements for WashU Medicine faculty. Coaching offers dedicated, confidential time to focus on professional goals and work through challenges with a trained colleague. Faculty might seek out one of our coaches when preparing to step into a leadership role or to improve in a specific professional area, such as communication, relationship-building or problem-solving.
Grounded in an enduring commitment to WashU Medicine’s success, the Office of Faculty Promotions and Career Development is a significant, long-term investment. I encourage faculty at every career stage to engage with us. Choose one of our webinars, book discussions, workshops or programs to meet a current need or build a new skill. My team is dedicated to ensuring that WashU Medicine is the place where faculty can reach their full professional potential.
Renée Shellhaas, MD, MS
David T. Blasingame Professor of Neurology
Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Promotions and Career Development, WashU Medicine