DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY
DEPARTMENTAL STATEMENT
REQUIRED BY SECTION 7.12 OF
REGULATIONS CONCERNING FACULTY TENURE
I. MISSION STATEMENT
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 Orthopaedic Surgery 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.
II CRITERIA FOR TENURE
Section 7.12 of the Regulations Concerning Faculty Tenure states: "General Criteria. The basis for awarding indefinite tenure is the determination that the achievements of an individual have demonstrated the individual's potential to continue to contribute significantly to the mission of the University and to its programs of teaching, research, and service over the course of the faculty member's academic career. The primary criteria for demonstrating this potential are effectiveness in teaching and professional distinction in research; outstanding discipline-related service contributions will also be taken into account where they are an integral part of the mission of the academic unit. The relative importance of the criteria may vary in different academic units, but each of the criteria must be considered in every decision.
The individual's participation in the governance of the institution and other services to the University and service to the academic unit may be taken into consideration, but are not in themselves basis for awarding tenure.
Indefinite tenure may be granted at any time when the candidate has satisfied the requirements. A probationary appointment must be terminated when the appointee fails to satisfy the criteria in the last year of probationary service and may be terminated earlier if it appears that the appointee is not making satisfactory progress toward meeting the criteria within that period.
Standards for Tenure - Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery accepts and subscribes to the statement on Criteria and Standards for Tenure of Faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School, with the following standards specific to the department;
A. TEACHING
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, surgical and other procedures, continuing education.
The following are educational activities in which competence and accomplishments in teaching can be demonstrated:
1. Meaningful participation in the organized educational programs of the Department.
2. Participation and competence in teaching professional students, including students in the M.D. curriculum, or other professional educational programs.
3. Service and distinction as a faculty adviser to post-M.D. residents (Medical Fellow Specialists or Medical Fellows), post-residency clinical fellows, or advanced degree candidates in medical disciplines, interdisciplinary programs or collaborative research programs.
4. Service as a faculty mentor or adviser to students in any of the above categories, including medical students in the clinical courses of the M.D. curriculum.
5. Service as a faculty mentor to students in any of the above categories who engage in research activities in the Department.
B. RESEARCH/SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarly activities of a faculty member will be evaluated according to the
following standards:
1. Scientific Publications
Scientific articles reporting quality biomedical research should be published in peer-reviewed journals related to the discipline(s) of medicine.
Peer-reviewed journals that are recognized as outstanding and appropriate to the discipline includes, but are not necessarily limited to:
American Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
Cancer
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
Journal of Biochemistry
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
Journal of Hand Surgery
Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Journal of Orthopaedic Research
Lancet
Nature
New England Journal of Medicine
Spine
2. External Research Funding
A candidate should be the recipient of a grant(s) or contract(s)by designation as Principal Investigator, a Co-Investigator, a major collaborator, or other similar title, from a national or regional granting agency which customarily utilizes scientific peer review as the primary basis for awards. Examples of granting agencies include, but are not limited to:
An institute of the National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service,
Or other similar federal agency
The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation
A unit of affiliate or the American Cancer Society
A unit or affiliate of the Arthritis Foundation
A unit or affiliate of the March of Dimes
National Science Foundation
Merit Review from the Veteran's Administration
3. Publications in Monographs, Reviews and Other Books
Publications through these modalities are part of the scholarly activities of a faculty member, but cannot be considered as the sole basis for tenure.
Examples included, but are not necessarily limited to:
Orthopaedic Clinics of North America
Instructional Course Lectures of AAOS
4. Service as an Editor or a member of the Editorial Board of a reputable Journal of Monograph in a Biomedical Discipline
Examples of appropriate journals included, but are not necessarily limited to those listed in 1 above.
5. Invited participation in Symposia, Meetings, and Seminars
Faculty members should be invited by national and internal scientific organizations to participate in symposia and meetings and should be invited to give seminars before peers in other institutions both nationally and internationally. However, this cannot be used as the sole criterion for tenure.
C. SERVICE
Service, although not a primary criterion for tenure, will be taken into consideration in making decisions on tenure. Performance of service, however exemplary, cannot substitute for the primary criteria, research and teaching.
III. PROMOTION
The Department of Orthopaedic Appointments and Promotions Committee and Post Tenure Review Committee will meet the first week in September. This committee will include all elected regular faculty of superior rank to that of the potential candidate. Prior to this meeting the members of the A & P Committee will be provided with copies of the promotion package and all referee letters.
The Chair's letter will be submitted to the School of Medicine Appointment and Promotion Committee by September 15th. This will contain the promotion package. All letters received from referees the Chairmans description of the candidates strengths and weakness, and an explanation of non-positive votes from the Department A & P Committee.
The School of Medicines' A & P Committee will evaluate the package in the fall and may require the Chair to meet with them to discuss the candidacy. The results of the School's evaluation will be forwarded to the Provost's office and then the evaluations of the Provost's office are forwarded to the Board of Regents.
Standards for Promotion - Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
A. To Assistant Professor
Appointment to the rank of Assistant Professor requires completion of clinical training to meet the requirements for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery of a Doctoral Degree with substantial research experience. Appointment to this rank demonstrates a clear commitment of the individual to a career in Academic Orthopaedics. Individuals being proposed to the rank of Assistant Professor should provide evidence of a commitment to scholarship (including research) and teaching. Documentation of skill in teaching and research must be available in Curriculum Vitae and from letters of support from nationally know orthopaedic physician scientists. Physicians must demonstrate excellence in the practice of their speciality.
Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor and Research Professor:
Research Associate Professor and Research Professor are reviewed in the same manner as regular academic ranks. Please note however, that individuals with research post doctoral ranks are not required to teach but are encouraged to do so.
B. TO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
A faculty member should have the enthusiastic support of the chairman gained by a record of meaningful contributions to the Department, School of Medicine and the University of Minnesota. In addition, the following guidelines should be met. While exceptions may be considered based on unusual strength in certain dimensions, these exceptions should be rare.
I. Scholarship:The individual must have made important scholarly contribution to his or her field as documented by:
1. At least twelve major articles published or accepted by high quality peer reviewed journals. The candidate should be first author on at least half of these. Case reports and publications in non-peer review journals carry less weight.
a. Evidence that the candidate is viewed as a scholar and respected authority by peers in his/her fields, for example:
i. Requested presentations at meetings of learned societies.
ii. Outside funding for research.
iii. Letters from disinterested national reviewers indicating substantial contributions to the field.
Education and program development activities, book chapters, review articles, CME courses, and other educational material will also be considered.
II Teaching:Excellence in teaching is indicated by:
1. record of substantial teaching in local and national courses.
2. Satisfactory teaching evaluations by those being taught, as well as by peers.
3. Supportive letters from students, residents, and physician registrants in CME courses.
III Clinical Care:Excellence in clinical care is indicated by:
1. Appropriate specialty board certification.
2. A significant clinical work load.
3. Good clinical results.
4. Garnering of a substantial referral practice.
5. Excellent collegial relationships.
6. Supportive letters from medical directors, colleagues, and referring physicians.
7. Regular participation in department clinical conference and quality assurance meetings.
IV Administrative Leadership: Evidence of participation in University, School of Medicine and/or departmental committees is required.
C. TO PROFESSOR
A faculty member should have the enthusiastic support of the chairman gained by a record of meaningful contributions to the Department, School of Medicine and the University of Minnesota. In the situation of a new appointee, evidence of analogous contributions at a comparable institution is expected. In addition, the following guidelines should be met. While exceptions may be considered based on unusual strength in certain dimensions, these exceptions are rare.
I Scholarship:The individual must have significant advanced his or her field by sustained productivity and defined areas as documented by:
1. At least 25 major articles published or accepted by high quality, peer reviewed journal. First authorship or senior authorship is expected on at least 15 of these. Articles of substantial clinical impact may receive greater weight. Case reports and publication in non-peer reviewed journals carry less weight. Educational and program development activities, book chapters, review articles, CME courses, and other educational materials are considered as well.
2. Evidence that the candidate is viewed nationally and internationally as a scholar and respected authority by peers in his or her field, for example:
a. Invited authorship in major text.
b. Requested presentation at meetings of learned societies (national and international).
c. Guest lectureships.
d. Committee positions in national and international organizations.
e. Awards from peer organizations.
f. Obtaining sustained funding for research from competitive sources.
g. Letters from disinterested national and national and international reviewers indicating substantial contributions to the field.
II Local Leadership: The individual must have provided substantial leadership at the Departmental, Hospital, School of Medicine, and University levels as documented by:
1. Committee chairmanships/memberships (department, medical centers, school, university).
2. Special organizational activities.
3. Mentorship of junior faculty.
4. Promotion of relationships with the local and regional community.
5. Dedication to the missions to the University of Minnesota.
III Teaching: It is important that the quality of teaching be sustained.
1. Substantial teaching in local and national courses with favorable evaluations.
2. Satisfactory teaching evaluations by those being taught, as well as by peers.
3. Supportive letters from students, resident, and physician registrants in CME courses.
IV Clinical Care:It is essential that the potential candidate be viewed as a role model clinician:
1. Appropriate speciality board certification.
2. A significant clinical workload.
3. Good clinical results as documented by participation in clinical outcomes assessment program.
4. Garnering of a substantial referral practice.
5. Excellent collegial relationships.
6. Supportive letters from medical directors, colleagues, and referring physicians.
7. Regular participation in departmental clinical conferences, and quality assurance meetings.
V Administration:It is expected that individuals who are candidates for promotion to the rank of full professor will have a documented record of sustained contribution to the administrative activities of the department.
revised 031199