TY - JOUR
T1 - Leadership as a Division Chief of Nephrology
AU - Lederer, Eleanor
N1 - Funding Information:
The Division Chief stands at a critical juncture between the Division—a group of highly motivated and autonomous individuals affiliated by their common interest in nephrology—and the Department of Medicine—a far more heterogeneous group of professionals who are equally motivated and autonomous but affiliated by a much looser set of principles. The Department Chair, in turn, occupies a position that serves as the liaison between all Divisions of Internal Medicine and the administration of the school, other department chairs, and hospital administrators. Having this broader vantage point places the Department Chair in a role that emphasizes activities for the common good of the Department, which may or may not be beneficial to the Division of Nephrology. A major leadership responsibility for the Division Chief of Nephrology is to ensure that the value of the Division is consistently reinforced to the Department Chair. Cogent elements would include contributions by the Division of Nephrology researchers to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) research rankings, success of internal medicine trainees on the nephrology components of the in-training examination and the board examination, and the financial contributions to the Department through nephrology clinical activities. Such arguments are more persuasive in negotiations for granting additional resources for faculty recruits, the development of new clinical programs, or obtaining additional research space than simple requests for these items. A mutually respectful relationship between Department Chair and Division Chief based on a background of shared vision and support for the Department is more likely to result in successful negotiations for resources than demands based on purely Division-centric arguments.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018
Copyright:
Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2018/11
Y1 - 2018/11
N2 - The position of chief of a division of nephrology in an academic medical center is a hands-on job, offering the opportunity to influence the future of the field through the creation of unique clinical, research, and education programs. Today, most academic centers face significant financial challenges, thus the division chief must develop a variety of skills to accomplish his or her goals. Interactions and relationships with the leadership of the academic center, including the hospital executives, can facilitate or impede progress on proposed projects; therefore, aligning the goals of the division with the goals of leadership is an imperative. Engagement, assessment, mentorship, and sponsorship of the faculty members are essential tasks because any project will require faculty input and buy in. A division chief's networks outside of the home academic medical center are critical for successful recruitment of new faculty, establishment of beneficial relationships with research funding agencies, and development of cooperative programs with industries such as dialysis corporations. Effective communication skills and honest self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses with the wisdom to seek expertise when needed are keys to success. The position of division chief is arguably the most rewarding position for an academic nephrologist.
AB - The position of chief of a division of nephrology in an academic medical center is a hands-on job, offering the opportunity to influence the future of the field through the creation of unique clinical, research, and education programs. Today, most academic centers face significant financial challenges, thus the division chief must develop a variety of skills to accomplish his or her goals. Interactions and relationships with the leadership of the academic center, including the hospital executives, can facilitate or impede progress on proposed projects; therefore, aligning the goals of the division with the goals of leadership is an imperative. Engagement, assessment, mentorship, and sponsorship of the faculty members are essential tasks because any project will require faculty input and buy in. A division chief's networks outside of the home academic medical center are critical for successful recruitment of new faculty, establishment of beneficial relationships with research funding agencies, and development of cooperative programs with industries such as dialysis corporations. Effective communication skills and honest self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses with the wisdom to seek expertise when needed are keys to success. The position of division chief is arguably the most rewarding position for an academic nephrologist.
KW - Academic leadership
KW - Faculty
KW - Mentorship
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U2 - 10.1053/j.ackd.2018.08.005
DO - 10.1053/j.ackd.2018.08.005
M3 - Review article
C2 - 30527545
AN - SCOPUS:85057728535
SN - 1548-5595
VL - 25
SP - 480
EP - 484
JO - Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease
JF - Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease
IS - 6
ER -