Faculty Development

Do you know the range of faculty career development opportunities available so you can thrive here at UCSF? All UCSF faculty have membership to a variety of trainings through the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. Faculty can also apply to the UCSF Coro Leadership Training Program. Faculty are also welcome to take advantage of the new ARCHES Program (Advancing the Research Careers of Historically Excluded Faculty). The UCSF Learning & Organization Development has a lot of leadership development resources as well. The Center for Faculty Educators has created a robust website with resources and activities for everyone who interacts with learners to improve their skills. This even includes short 3-min skill videos—perfect for the busy clinician! Additionally, there are many mentoring resources available to enhance your work. Several other faculty development resources are available on Box.

If you are new to UCSF—Welcome! And we strongly encourage you to attend the Faculty Development Day every September. 

Many faculty have expressed interest in honing their leadership skills.  To support professional growth, below is a list of internal and external leadership development programs available to UCSF faculty across all specialties.

Since many of these programs are targeted at faculty-specific career stages, you should talk to your Chair/Director, Departmental Mentoring Facilitator, and/or mentor about which of these programs might be right for you now or in the future.  You also should be sure to look at the application to see what is required and then have a conversation with your Chair about availability (or not) of funding and how this might impact your work.

A list of UCSF SOM faculty that have participated in some of these programs is available online (AAMC Seminars, ELAM and ELH).  You are free to reach out to them if you'd like.  If none of these programs are a good fit, you can always explore leadership development programs available through your specialty societies.

Internal Leadership Development Programs

UCSF-Coro Faculty Leadership Collaborative 

This program develops culturally competent, collaborative, and results-oriented leadership skills. Participants gain practical tools, build meaningful relationships across UCSF, and enhance their self-awareness as leaders. The program includes 10 days of in-person and virtual sessions (approximately 75 hours) plus time for individual projects. A recent study highlighted its success, with 33% of URM participants and 46% of women URM participants attaining leadership roles such as dean or department chair.  Sessions occur twice a year. Prior attendees are listed here. Contact [email protected] for more details.  

UC-Coro Systemwide Leadership Collaborative 

This year-long program focuses on leadership skills and collaboration across the UC system. Participants engage in seminars, assignments, and group projects on systemwide initiatives. The program includes in-person intensives, virtual sessions, and personalized coaching. It prepares faculty for leadership roles within the UC system. The application deadline is typically in the Fall.  Contact [email protected] for more details.    

UCSF Health Network Executive Leadership Academy 

This nine-month hybrid program helps faculty strengthen leadership abilities, motivate teams, and address organizational challenges. Participants learn from UCSF executives, academic leaders, and external experts in business and leadership. The program emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and aims to cultivate visionary leaders within UCSF Health. Application deadline is typically in the Spring.  Contact [email protected] for more details.  

UCSF Leadership Institute 

This collaboration between the UCSF School of Nursing and UCSF Health, situated within the UCSF Health Center for Nursing Excellence & Innovation, offers several cohort-based, leadership development programs for healthcare professionals and academic leaders at different career stages. The UCSF Leadership Institute focuses on interprofessional development, with an emphasis on advancing translational science, fostering organizational leadership, and bridging the gap between practice and academic institutions. Additional details about programs is available here. Contact [email protected] for more information.

External Leadership Development Programs

American Association of Physician Leadership (AALP) Programs

AALP offers comprehensive programs to enhance physicians' leadership skills, including the Certified Physician Executive (CPE) credential and master's degree partnerships. Physicians can choose from live events and online courses to fit their schedules and learning preferences. Information is available on the AALP website.

American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Executive Program

The ACHE Executive Program offers healthcare leaders immersive learning experiences both in-person and virtual. The program covers topics such as multigenerational leadership, change management, and healthcare policies. Details are available on the ACHE website.

America’s Essential Hospitals (AEH) Essential Women’s Leadership Academy and Fellows Program

The AEH Essential Women’s Leadership Academy is a 10-month program designed to empower female executives in essential hospitals by enhancing their leadership skills and confidence. It offers interactive in-person sessions, personalized coaching, mentorship opportunities, and extensive networking to support career advancement and address gender disparities in hospital leadership. The AEW Fellows Program is a 12-month leadership development tailored for rising senior leaders in significant clinical or administrative roles at member hospitals. It encompasses three interactive in-person sessions featuring case studies, group work, and presentations from industry experts, along with self-assessment opportunities, organizational projects, site visits, distance learning, and extensive networking. Program information is available on the AEH website.

Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Leadership Development Programs 

The AAMC offers several leadership seminars. UCSF’s School of Medicine sponsors four faculty annually for five different seminars, with applications announced throughout the year (February, March, June, August, and October). For more information, visit the AAMC website.

The California Healthcare Foundation (CHCF) Health Care Leadership Program 

This two-year, part-time fellowship prepares clinicians and healthcare professionals to lead transformative change. The program selects up to 32 participants annually, including physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and behavioral health providers.  Application deadline is typically in late Spring. Contact [email protected] for more information.  

The Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program (ELAM) and Health Care (ELH) 

These year-long programs prepare women faculty for senior leadership roles in academic medicine, dentistry, public health, pharmacy, and health systems. Applicants must be Associate Professor, Step 2 or higher, with Chair or C-suite support (including funding). UCSF has many ELAM/ELH alumnae who can provide insight. Prior UCSF Awardees are here. Applications are typically due in the fall.   

The Faculty Success Program (NCFDD) 

This 10-week virtual program helps faculty enhance productivity, manage workload, and achieve academic success. Sessions are held in Spring (Jan–Mar), Summer (May–Jul), and Fall (Sep–Dec). Participants receive expert-led training, peer support, and personalized coaching. UCSF's institutional membership is sponsored by the Campus Council on Faculty Life (CCFL) through the VPAA Office.  Faculty can activate their membership via this link: NCFDD 

Harvard Macy Institute Professional Development Courses

The Harvard Macy Institute provides advanced programs that support and connect health care leaders worldwide. These programs are designed to accelerate the careers of educators, clinicians, and administrators by focusing on leadership, innovation in health care and education, and the integration of technology in teaching. Courses combine interactive learning, project-based work, and collaboration to foster professional and personal growth. Deadlines for applications differ depending on the program. For detailed information on specific deadlines, please visit the Harvard Macy Institute website.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Programs 

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health offers executive education programs to enhance leadership, policy, and management skills in public health. Available in both in-person and online formats, these programs address emerging health challenges, data analytics, and strategic decision-making. Participants gain expert insights and practical tools to drive change in global health initiatives. Application deadlines vary by program. For more information on specific deadlines, please visit the Harvard ECPE Programs page

The Physicians Foundation’s Leadership Institute at Brandeis University

The Physicians Foundation’s Leadership Institute at Brandeis University offers a 12-month program for physicians to enhance leadership skills, address key health drivers, and influence policy decisions. The program covers tuition and travel costs, provides CME credits, and includes both virtual and in-person sessions. Only 25 physicians are selected nationwide, with a commitment to full participation. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] 

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Health Policy Fellows

The RWJF Health Policy Fellows program offers mid-career professionals the chance to gain hands-on experience in federal health policy while working closely with senior government officials. Fellows engage in an immersive orientation and then take on key roles as senior advisors, contributing to legislative and regulatory proposals, organizing policy events, and briefing top officials on critical health issues. Key dates are available on the RWJF Health Policy Fellows website. Program information is available here.

 

Many faculty are also interested in executive coaches. The Office of Ombuds have some options, and we also have a list of executive coaches for faculty.

Faculty Awards

Our office oversees the Faculty Travel Awards for Child, Elder or Dependent Care, Irene Perstein Award, and selection of specific AAMC faculty development awards. Please see below for more detail.

Faculty Travel Awards for Child, Elder or Dependent Care

The SOM faculty travel award for Child, Elder, or Dependent Care has been available since 2008. In fact, our team has published about this work.

Eligibility

  • School of Medicine faculty member who holds an appointment with a step designation
  • Rank: Assistant, Associate, Professor
  • Series: Adjunct, Clinical X, HS Clinical, In Residence, Ladder Rank

Award

  • Maximum $2,000 for one professional conference/meeting
  • Faculty members may receive up to two (2) travel awards during their career at UCSF.

Criteria

  1. The Faculty Travel Award is for faculty members who have significant childcare, eldercare, or other dependent care responsibilities and who plan to attend a professional conference/meeting.
  2. The Faculty Travel Award is intended to support professional development by facilitating dissemination of scholarship and expansion of professional networks. The faculty member must give a presentation, serve as a moderator, convene a research consortium, or otherwise demonstrate that attending the conference is important for career advancement. Examples include giving a talk or moderating a panel at a professional conference, presenting grand rounds or serving as visiting professor at an academic program, convening a planning meeting for a multi-center clinical study, or attending a leadership development conference.
  3. The purpose of the award is not simply to enable family members to accompany the faculty member to the professional conference/meeting; there must be a reason that they need to travel with the faculty member. The faculty member must utilize the Faculty Travel Award funds to support childcare, elder care or other dependent care expenses that are incurred directly in conjunction with the faculty member's attendance at the professional conference/meeting.
  4. Given the new campus policies (travel-related dependent care; reimbursing dependent care with external funds), eligible funds from your department and/or travel grants should be used first since the SOM travel award only covers limited eligible dependent expenses.
  5. To comply with regulations, UCSF must continue to proactively protect our research enterprise from threats and manage research security risks. Applicants are required to consult with the UCSF Export Control Office and Risk Advisory and Insurance Services (RAIS) depending on the intended destination. Please refer to: Research Security and Compliance Trainings and Resources.

Application Process

  1. Contact Ms. Sheila Quimpo via email at [email protected] regarding details about what qualifies as a dependent, and examples of allowable and unallowable expenses. Faculty then can complete the application.
  2. Prepare a budget that describes how the Faculty Travel Award funds will be used to support expenses for childcare, eldercare or dependent care. Expenses may be incurred at either the site of the professional conference/meeting or at home.
  3. Submit a one paragraph description that summarizes why this funding is important and how participation in the professional conference/meeting and the presentation will enhance career advancement.
  4. Funding must be requested at least one month ahead of travel and notification will occur within two weeks of receipt of the application.
  5. Any change to the approved budget should be submitted in advance for review and approval.
  6. Awards are granted on a rolling basis throughout the year until the funds have been expended.

Click here for application.

*If you have any questions, contact Sheila Quimpo at 476-4237 or via email at [email protected].

Irene Perstein Award

The Irene Perstein Award is awarded annually by the UCSF School of Medicine to an outstanding, newly recruited, junior woman scientist. This unique award honors the legacy of Ms. Irene Perstein, who donated funds to support junior women faculty at UCSF. Read about the 2024 awardees and 2023 awardees, Drs. Karly Murphy and Bridget Ostrem.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates include women faculty members who started their initial appointment as Assistant Professor (regardless of series) between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023, who are expected to develop a high caliber independent research program in basic, clinical, or translational science. The award is for up to $80,000 total and may be used for salary support, staff, or equipment.

Nominations

Nominations should be submitted by the Department Chair/ORU Director. The nomination packet should include four components: 1) a one-page (maximum) letter from the Chair or ORU Director that describes the candidate’s qualifications; and 2) a one-page (excluding citations) letter from the candidate which describes the proposed research and the anticipated impact of the Irene Perstein award; and 3) the candidate’s current CV; and 4) the candidate's offer letter

Applications & Selection Criteria

Applications should be addressed to Paul Garcia, MD, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and submitted in a single PDF to Oriol Zales.

Selection criteria include:

  1. Scientific merit of the proposal, including novelty/innovation (if applicable, include factors that limit current funding opportunities), feasibility and the potential impact on human health
  2. Anticipated impact of the Irene Perstein award on the candidate’s research program and academic career. The ideal candidate has not yet secured a large extramural grant or benefitted from a large start-up package.

Timeline

 

Request for Applications (RFA)

March 25, 2024

Applications Due

May 6, 2024

Award Notification

June 14, 2024

AAMC Faculty Development Awards

The School of Medicine Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Diversity and Outreach sponsor the registration fee for up to 4 faculty members who have been accepted by the AAMC to attend each of the seminars listed below. All remaining expenses (CME, transportation, lodging, etc.) are paid by the faculty member and/or the faculty member’s department/ORU/division.

The Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar is designed for women physicians and scientists with a faculty appointment at UCSF with a minimum of two years’ experience as an Assistant Professor. The date of the next seminar is February 24- 27, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Mid-Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar is designed for women physicians and scientists with a faculty appointment at UCSF with a minimum of two years’ experience as an Associate Professor. The date of the next seminar is December 2-5, 2024 in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.

The Minority Faculty Leadership Development Seminar is designed for junior faculty (clinical instructors and assistant professors) who aspire to leadership positions in academic medicine. The date of the next seminar is TBA.

The Mid-Career Minority Faculty Seminar is designed for faculty members at the associate professor level who aspire to leadership positions in academic medicine. October 16-18, 2024 in Washington D.C.

 

*UCSF Faculty recently sponsored to attend (see list)

Other Resources:

 

Our office is responsible for

  • Ensuring faculty are aware of range of faculty develop programs across UCSF
  • Management of Faculty Travel Awards
  • Management of Irene Perstein Award