Office of Academic Affairs and Career Development

Career Development

We collaborate with stakeholders from across the institution to increase retention of faculty who are historically underrepresented or marginalized in medicine and biomedical research. We aim to build an inclusive and collaborative culture in which all faculty feel safe, valued, connected, and respected. To achieve this, we focus on addressing the drivers key to increasing representation and supporting our strategy. Learn how we're fostering diversity, equity and inclusion.

Faculty Development Liaisons are faculty members from across the institution who are interested in working with others to enhance faculty development opportunities within their divisions. Liaisons serve as an advisory group for the Office of Academic Affairs and Career Development and meet quarterly to:

• Learn about faculty development resources available at Cincinnati Children’s and elsewhere and share with their division
• Bring divisional faculty development needs to the group for discussion and idea generation
• Share ideas for faculty development initiatives or programs with the group to promote collaboration or dissemination

The OAACD collaborates with internal and external consultants to develop and implement leadership programs that will create a cadre of outstanding faculty leaders at all career stages and encourage faculty leaders to create a culture of service, appreciation, inclusion, teamwork, and collaboration. Junior, mid-level, and senior-level leadership programs have been implemented.

The overarching goals of all OAACD faculty leadership development programs are to enhance and develop participants’ leadership abilities and effectiveness, through:

1. Gaining a deeper understanding of one’s “leadership foundation,” including values, leadership styles, strengths and limitations
2. Developing a broader perspective and increasing one’s ability to utilize strategic, operational, and relational skills needed for research, clinical or educational leadership roles at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and beyond.

Faculty Leaders who Inspire Program (FLIP)

FLIP was developed for mid-level leaders, such as fellowship, medical, or research directors. The goal of this program is to enhance emotional and social competencies in leadership, improve core leadership skills, and support participants in becoming resonant and resilient leaders. Some of the topics covered during this 10-month programs include:

• Models of leadership (e.g., shared, networked leadership)
• Maintaining renewal and resilience as a leader
• Achieving personal and career success
• Courageous conversations
• Values-based leadership
• Leading with passion and purpose
• Financial leadership and program-building skills
• Empowering others to lead and optimizing leadership effectiveness
• Leading across differences: recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse faculty

During each program, participants obtain 360° feedback and create personal development plans to accomplish during the program. As a culminating project, each participant completes an individual "Leadership Profile" that includes each person’s definition of leadership; chosen leadership styles; characteristics, values, and principles; and a plan as to how individual leadership strengths will be used to help Cincinnati Children's meet its mission and vision.

The OAACD has developed and launched a mentorship initiative that supports the career development of all faculty through formal and informal mentoring. The objectives of this initiative are to ensure that all junior faculty members identify a primary mentor and a career development committee, ensure that every junior faculty member has the information, tools, skills, and support necessary for them to achieve their career objectives, and improve the provision of high-quality mentoring throughout the institution.

Components of the mentorship program include:

• Career Development Committees for junior faculty
• Faculty Mentorship Handbook, including the following inserts:
  
  • Career Development Committee Guidance
  • Mentorship Agreement template
  • Questions Mentees Might Ask
  • Questions Mentors Might Ask
  • Tips for Mentees
  • Tips for Mentors
  • Mentorship Articles
  • Individual Development Plan template
  • Developmental Network Plan template
• Mentorship seminars and symposia
• Faculty mentoring webpage
• New faculty orientation
• Annual RPT workshop
• 1:1 mentoring of faculty
• Junior faculty bootcamp
• Mentorship training workshops (in collaboration with UCCOM)
• Speed mentoring events

The OAACD is committed to developing resources and implementing programs to help faculty avoid or manage burnout, balance work and life responsibilities, and achieve holistic wellness and vitality.

Examples of programming and initiatives include:

• In-depth assessments with individual divisions of the drivers of burnout and interventions to address these drivers
• Wellness seminars, grand rounds, and other sessions integrated into leadership programs and career development seminars
• Wellness resources
• Mindfulness meditation workshops for faculty
• EPIC Tips and Tricks workshops
• Wellness symposia with national speakers
• Wellness intranet page

Additionally, OAACD staff are members of the Cincinnati Children's Enhancing Workforce Vitality Steering Committee, led by institutional leadership, to enhance workforce vitality across the organization.

Middle School Programs

Middle School Science Symposium

The Middle School Science Symposium was created to provide students in Cincinnati with opportunities to learn about careers in biomedical research and healthcare, and to strengthen the pipeline of racially / ethnically and / or socioeconomically underrepresented women and men for careers in those fields. The students participating in the program meet and learn first-hand about the work of doctors, scientists, and allied health professionals who work in clinical and research facilities at Cincinnati Children's.

High School Programs

High School Science Symposium

Each spring all area high schools are invited to send their top science students and a teacher or counselor to participate in the one-day science symposium. The students and their advisers attend workshops on careers in medicine, allied health, and science and participate in hands-on activities throughout the medical center ranging from basic science labs to clinical experiences. Learn more about the High School Science Symposium.

Summer High School Senior Internship Program

The Summer High School Internship Program is a competitive program for graduating high school seniors in Cincinnati. Students selected work with a mentor, shadow in clinical programs, participate in research projects, and participate in a weekly luncheon series. Students work 20 hours per week for eight weeks.

Undergraduate Programs

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

The SURF program is a biomedical research summer program designed for undergraduate students who are interested in careers in medicine or biomedical research. The program enrolls undergraduates after their freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Students participate in basic, translational, and clinical research programs at Cincinnati Children’s. The SURF program includes an extensive scientific and social program. Learn more about the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

Listserv

The OAACD maintains an active listserv and sends emails regularly about faculty development events and resources. To be added to the OAACD listserv, please email faculty-affairs@cchmc.org.

OAACD Weekly Newsletter, Blog, and Social Media

The OAACD Weekly is the office’s weekly e-newsletter used to disseminate information about upcoming OAACD, regional, and national programs and events; relevant resources; upcoming foundation grant and award opportunities; upcoming limited submission grants and awards, the weekly NIH funding notice, recommended viewing / reading, and more. Information for the Weekly is drawn from the OAACD Blog, which is continually updated. To receive the OAACD Weekly please email faculty-affairs@cchmc.org. You can also find the OAACD on Twitter: @CincyKidsOAACD

Intranet (Centerlink) Webpage

The OAACD intranet webpage contains numerous resources for Cincinnati Children's faculty and is updated on a regular basis. On the webpage, faculty have access to information about career development resources; grants and fellowships; leadership development opportunities; the reappointment, promotion and tenure process at Cincinnati Children's; inclusive excellence initiatives; Cincinnati Children's policies, organization, and strategic initiatives; professional health resources; and work-life integration and resources.