The Center for Health AI has a responsibility to help recruited faculty attain success as independent research leaders. One of the ways in which the Center promotes success is by establishing a faculty mentoring committee for pre-tenure faculty on the Tenure Track and those who have not yet reached the highest level attainable on other tracks.
All faculty in the School of Medicine have annual performance reviews, which are conducted through a system termed PRiSM. The Center’s mentoring committee complements this performance review system by providing more frequent guidance. Effective mentoring committees must be able to guide the mentored faculty member towards success, which may require difficult conversations and candor.
The faculty member, the Center Director, and other senior Center faculty assigned by the Center Director will choose the mentoring team by considering the scientific interests, shared values, and the other affinities of both the mentors and mentees. At least two faculty mentors above the faculty’s rank serve on the committee for each mentored member. For example, at least two faculty at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor serve on the mentoring team for each
The team’s primary role is to advise mentored faculty on building a successful track record in research, teaching, and service, with an emphasis on research for research faculty. In addition, mentors are available to assist mentored faculty members by critiquing grant applications, providing guidance on how to run a lab, brainstorming research topics, and other guidance or support as needed.
Each tenure-track mentee will schedule formal meetings with their mentors at least three times per year and informally with one or all members as needed during the year. One meeting will be over the Spring (March – April) and one will be in Summer (July – August); the team will work together in advance of these meetings to create an agenda in order to ensure a fruitful conversation. One meeting will be in December. Prior to this meeting, the mentored faculty member should send the mentoring team any teaching evaluations and a draft of the yearly PRiSM report. After the meeting, the team will compile a Center for Health AI mentoring report.
Non-tenure track faculty will schedule formal meetings with their mentors at least once per year and informally with one or all members as needed during the year. Prior to the annual meeting, the mentored faculty member should send the mentoring team a draft of the yearly PRiSM report. After the meeting, the team will compile a Center for Health AI mentoring report.
During the PRiSM process each year, the mentored faculty member will have the opportunity to provide feedback on their mentoring team to the Center Director. The mentored faculty member can request alternate mentors as the needs of their research program evolve. If such changes are necessary, the mentee should work with the Center Director to put together the most effective committee.
These meetings will occur at least until the mentored faculty member has been promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure. Thereafter, faculty members can opt to continue participating in the mentoring program. As faculty progress, they are expected to serve as mentors to others. Faculty are encouraged to maintain an active informal mentoring relationship with their mentors, mentees, and others throughout their careers.