Faculty development
To support faculty in their growth as academic teaching and research professionals, the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences has created a comprehensive faculty development program.
New Faculty Orientation
An individualized orientation program is developed cooperatively by members of the chair's administrative group and each new faculty member's colleagues. New faculty members are introduced to relevant individuals within the school, university, and hospitals whose work relates to that of the new faculty member and are encouraged to meet regularly with their division chief. New clinical faculty co-precept and co-round with experienced colleagues in order to become acclimated to the department's educational and patient-care processes. Each new faculty member is asked to attend WSU's new faculty orientation program, as well.
Faculty Development Meetings
The DFMPHS conducts regular faculty development sessions following our faculty meetings. Information about School, University, and professional development events is disseminated to all faculty.
In addition, all WSU faculty are able and encouraged to use the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) free of charge. This online program offers productivity support, additional opportunities for mentoring and many other faculty development resources.
Mentoring of Faculty
The DFMPHS Mentoring Program is intended to help departmental faculty flourish in their overall career, and thus it includes career mentoring as well as mentoring in specific academic areas such as research, teaching, and service. The program provides support for faculty at all career stages to advance themselves, their colleagues, their academic missions, and their profession. In consultation with the Department Faculty Development Liaison and, if desired, the faculty member's division director, the faculty member chooses at least one but possibly more mentors. Mentors may be found in the department (and could be the division director), at the SOM, WSU, and other local or regional sources, such as in the faculty member's society or specialty; a number of people from industry and/or other institutions could be mentors.
Mentees arrange follow up meetings with mentors and may choose to develop goals and timelines. Materials are made available on the department web site to facilitate the mentoring process. The DFDL will meet annually with the department leadership to review the activities and evaluate the program. The DFDL is available to mentees and mentors as needed throughout the process. Please visit our mentoring page for materials.
Other resources include yearly speed mentoring events offered by the WSU Office of Faculty Affairs for review of CVs and feedback on readiness for promotion and/or tenure.