The Academy of Master Clinicians
Introduction
Clinical excellence is one of the hallmarks of Penn Medicine and a priority of the Penn Medicine Strategic Plan. Penn Medicine clinicians are innovators and leaders in their fields. We are indebted especially to those exceptional clinicians who consistently exemplify the highest standards of patient care and professionalism. In a major initiative to recognize and celebrate their contributions while at the same time strengthening our commitment to leadership in patient care for the future, we are launching a new program, The Academy of Master Clinicians. The Academy of Master Clinicians will be supported by a major philanthropic gift and institutional funding.
Background
The Academy of Master Clinicians at Penn Medicine was designed to honor those Penn Medicine clinicians who are recognized as consistently outstanding as a clinician. Election to The Academy of Master Clinicians is envisioned to be the highest honor to be bestowed on a Penn physician. A Master Clinician will be distinguished by a superior depth of knowledge in the field and a willingness to pursue new knowledge. A Master Clinician is recognized for excellent judgment, integrity, and exemplary interpersonal and communication skills with patients and colleagues at all levels, and as a committed and supportive team player. A Master Clinician treats all patients equally, acts as a patient advocate, and demonstrates compassion and empathy toward patients. A Master Clinician is an outstanding educator. A Master Clinician serves as a role model and mentor who exemplifies the highest levels of professionalism and positively influences the culture of Penn Medicine.
Recognition
A Master Clinician will be given a one-time financial award of $10,000. The Master Clinician will work with his/her department chair and Penn Medicine leadership to review assignments and potential changes in their patient schedules to fulfill responsibilities associated with their appointment. These may include such activities as extended time per patient to allow medical students and residents to observe practical skills, attendance at professional development programs to enhance career or leadership skills, course work, and others. The Master Clinicians will meet regularly as a group throughout the academic year.
Term of Appointment
A Master Clinician may be appointed for a five-year renewable term.
Expectations of Members of The Academy of Master Clinicians
Members of The Academy of Master Clinicians will serve as ambassadors for Penn Medicine. They will create an organized forum to provide feedback to leadership on strategies to improve the culture of clinical excellence in general and to promote the ideal patient experience in particular. They will be expected to be available as a mentor and consultant and to lead or participate in professional development/training programs for faculty, residents, trainees, students or staff. Areas of focus will include the art of medicine, communication skills, new faculty orientation/training, direct observation of clinical skills, and other topics of interest.
Eligibility
All entities of Penn Medicine including active clinicians within CPUP and CCA are eligible. The Academy of Master Clinicians will be comprised of physicians who have been in active clinical practice for a minimum of six years. All faculty tracks are eligible including Tenure, Clinician-Educator, Academic Clinician at HUP, Pennsylvania Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Health System Clinicians and CCA physicians are also eligible. Department Chairs are not eligible.
Nomination Process
The nomination process will be held annually. A nomination may be made by any physician, nurse or staff member of Penn Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, or the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Self-nominations are precluded.
Nomination Packet
Nominations will include:
- A letter of nomination. If the nominator is the nominee's division chief/department chair, see instructions in the bullets below.
- A letter from the nominee's division chief/department chair. The letter will acknowledge support and responsibilities to fulfill expectations associated with designation as Master Clinician.
- If the candidate is from CCA, the letter of nomination/support should come from Dr. Ronald Barg or his designee.
- Two or three additional letters from others (faculty, staff, trainees) in Penn Medicine, CHOP, or VA. One of the letters of support may be from outside Penn Medicine.
- A statement from the nominee, expressing their core philosophy on patient care and on teaching, personal values and beliefs, the importance of professionalism, and other areas relevant to being a Master Clinician.
- Nominee's CV.
An electronic copy of each completed nomination packet should be sent by the nominator in its entirety no later than October 1, 2013 to:
The Academy of Master Clinicians Selection/Executive Committee
c/o Victoria Mulhern
Email: vmulhern@upenn.edu
Phone: 215-898-6923
Any questions may be directed to Victoria Mulhern at vmulhern@upenn.edu or 215-898-6923 or John Glick, M.D. at glickjh@mail.med.upenn.edu or 215-662-6065.
The Academy of Master Clinicians Selection/Executive Committee
The original membership consists of past winners of the I.S.Ravdin Master Clinician Award and selected other Awards of Excellence winners as designated by the Dean who will serve for 3 year terms. Current committee members include Stanley Caroff, Joseph Carver, Kevin Fox, Howard Hurtig, Sidney Kobrin, Laurie Loevner, Jack Ludmir, Stephen Ludwig, Kim Olthoff, and Victoria Mulhern, John Glick, M.D., serves as chair of the committee. Those who are selected as Master Clinicians will become members of the Selection/Executive Committee. Terms will be staggered.
Members of the Selection/Executive Committee may not write letters for any nominee. An event to honor the newly selected Master Clinicians will be held annually.