Employee Engagement

Faculty and Staff Leadership Programs Provide Opportunities for Growth

During FY2014, the Department of Medicine launched several programs to help support and nurture its faculty and staff: the Faculty Leadership Development Program, and the staff-oriented Emerging Leaders Program and DOM Executive Assistant Network. “These programs provide support and encouragement to our talented faculty and staff and help them grow in their careers,” says Brian Gittens, DOM’s Director of Human Resources.

The Faculty Leadership Development Program is designed to give junior faculty in the early stages of their careers the knowledge and skills they need to become the department’s future leaders. The program consists of 10 two-hour workshops over a period of 10 months, on topics ranging from “Strategies for Leadership Success” to “Financial Literacy” to “Making the Most of the Mentee Experience.” Sessions are presented by senior leaders in DOM, the School of Medicine, and the Medical Center, with team-building exercises, networking opportunities, and a one-on-one mentoring relationship with a DOM division chief to round out the program.

The “Emerging Leaders” program is intended to help DOM staff members who aspire to higher-level administrative or management positions by providing training and mentorship opportunities. The year-long, seven-module program was launched in February 2014, and feedback from the first cohort of 10 participants has been enthusiastic. The curriculum helps broaden participants’ understanding of academic medical centers in general and the UVA Health System in particular, and gives them an in-depth look at the key functional areas that support the organization, including financial management, human resources, and research and sponsored programs. Participants are paired with mentors in their division who oversee and encourage them as they complete individual assignments.

The DOM Executive Assistant Network (DEAN) helps facilitate professional, educational and personal growth among the department’s executive assistants and those who aspire to these positions. Members meet monthly for 1-1/2 hours for a DOM-hosted lunch and programming that includes speakers, skills training, sharing of resources, and discussions of current issues. The program is sponsored by DOM Human Resources and coordinated by Terri Washington, executive assistant to DOM Chair Mitch Rosner.