January
2003
Volume 27 •
No. 1
Community physicians respond to changes in appointment, promotion criteria
Several members of the medical staff shared their thoughts on recently
announced changes that clarify the appointment and promotion criteria
for the professoriate at the School of Medicine.
The Dec. 3 semiannual medical staff meeting included presentations by Dean Philip Pizzo and by David Stevenson, senior associate dean for academic affairs. Most of the comments centered on the changes that affect the voluntary clinical educators (formerly called the voluntary clinical faculty) - community physicians who volunteer their time to teach Stanford residents and medical students.
Pizzo and Stevenson explained that the ranks currently held by VCE members would remain unchanged. In the future, however, the school will no longer make initial appointments at the rank of "voluntary clinical assistant professor" and would instead appoint new VCE members to the rank of "voluntary clinical instructor."
Some community physicians said they felt the word "voluntary" - which all VCE members must now use in describing their affiliation with Stanford - was confusing and carried a negative connotation.
"We understand that the intent here is good, but among most of the VCF, these changes are not seen as positive," said Richard Novak, an anesthesiologist on Welch Road. He said many community physicians believe the designation doesn't appropriately value their contribution to the medical center.
Pizzo responded that the medical school "certainly doesn't intend to create a title that people perceive as demeaning. What we're trying to do is find the best way to describe the important contributions of this group."
Other physicians voiced support for the VCE changes, saying they're needed to eliminate confusion and prevent misuse of the Stanford name.
"The title of clinical professor has been misused as a marketing tool by people who have hardly spent time on this campus," said one physician in attendance. "The public has a right to know the difference" between full-time faculty and community physicians who volunteer to teach trainees, he added.
Pizzo and Stevenson said they appreciated the feedback and would continue to monitor the implementation of the changes, which took effect in November.
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Community physicians respond to changes in appointment, promotion criteria
