Junior Faculty Development Program

The Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP) provides a foundation for the success of junior faculty at UMMS. Modeled after the program implemented at Penn State College of Medicine for 7 years (2003–2010), the JFDP is an intensive professional development experience for junior faculty designed to facilitate their success in academic medicine. This flagship program is a model for faculty development programs nationally.

The Program runs from October to May and consists of two components:

• a comprehensive curriculum in topics on research, education, clinical, and academic/career development.
• a project completed under the guidance of a senior faculty mentor. The individual project is identified by the participant, approved by their chair, and completed with the assistance of a mentor identified by the Program.

The goals of the Junior Faculty Development Program are to:

• promote the development and advancement of faculty through a program targeted to and tailored to the specific needs of junior faculty.
• nurture and cultivate junior faculty to become the next generation of academic leaders.
• support the retention of native faculty talent through opportunities and support to continuously build and expand professional skills.

Additional Information:

• Download a brochure describing the program. (pdf)
• Download the JFDP curriculum topics (pdf)
• Download a list of examples for JFDP projects (pdf)
• Download the application form for 2010–11. (doc)

Publications:

• Empowering Junior Faculty: Penn State’s Faculty Development and Mentoring Program.
  Thorndyke LT, Gusic ME, George JH, Quillen DA & Milner RJ. Academic Medicine 81: 668–73 (2006).
  (View on PubMed)
• Functional mentoring: A practical approach with multilevel outcomes.
  Thorndyke LT, Gusic ME & Milner RJ. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions 28: 157–64 (2008).
  (View on PubMed)