Highlights: December MAC Meeting

December 16, 2016 by Brian Murphy

Pinn Scholars

Dean David Wilkes announced the first recipients of the Pinn Scholars program, an award named in honor of Dr. Vivian Pinn. They are:
- Brant Isakson, PhD, Associate Professor, Molecular Physiology & Biological Physics
  - Project: Identification and characterization of Zika virus interaction with host endothelial cells using intravital microscopy
- Shayn Pierce-Cottler, PhD, Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  - Project:The role of vascular pericytes in the regulation of inflammation, vascularization, and fibrosis
- Gordon W. Laurie, PhD, Professor, Cell Biology
  - Project: Development of a structural model of ocular homeostasis to support the development of candidate drugs for dry eye disease
- Jochen Zimmer, PhD, Associate Professor, Molecular Physiology & Biological Physics
  - Project: Characterization of how microbial pathogens and symbionts produce capsular polysaccharides
This is the first step in rewarding and recognizing our mid-level faculty, allowing them to move research toward novel areas without the need to obtain external funding.

Financial Advisory Committee Updates

Dr. Chris Ghaemmaghami provided an update on the conversations about how to address financial, compensation, and funds flow issues.
Background: The funds flow work for FY17 did not define clinical elements. The need to address compensation in most departments is becoming more pressing. After consideration, it was decided to create a customized benchmark, specific to our environment.
The compensation vision, as its highest level, is: If a faculty member meets all of their agreed upon effort targets, they will be compensated at a nationally competitive level.
In the next 60 days, we need to:
- Revise effort allocation for all clinical faculty using new definitions;
- Determine which productivity benchmark you will use for each category of clinical faculty;
- Determine clinical productivity targets (wRVU and time-based) for each clinical faculty member; and
- Give specific guidance to each department on the completion of effort and productivity accounting for faculty.
Kathy Peck and Dr. Ghaemmaghami will reach out to administrators to assist in advancing this work.

Faculty Titles

Dr. Susan Pollart shared a flowchart outlining the pathways to for the appointment of paid and unpaid faculty members. For those who are employed by the School of Medicine, it is important to note titles will stay the same.
This is an important process — as we enter into partnerships and expand our footprint with to outlying facilities — we want a uniformity in faculty titles.
Dr. Pollart will resend the email communication and attached tools to guide faculty titles and requests on any follow-up questions or concerns before the end of the calendar year.

Dean’s Office Goals