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School of Medicine 

Office of Professional Development and Faculty Affairs

The School of Medicine strongly supports faculty professional and career development. The Office of Professional Development and Faculty Affairs (PDFA) is a coordinated and centralized effort administered through the Executive Dean's Office. We strive to align university resources around faculty recruitment, retention, diversity and development utilizing the web and the efforts of three people in our office. The comprehensive program serves the professional and career development needs of faculty at all levels of the academician lifecycle (new recruit, junior, mid-career, senior and emeritus).

OUR MISSION: To develop and retain faculty members who are successful and satisfied in their careers by offering a formal program which supports a community of patient care, research, life-long learning, mentoring, networking and collegiality opportunities. New faculty members should follow the steps in our On-Boarding New Faculty Process to make the transition from your previous environment to your new KUMC environment. It is our mission to ensure you are prepared and ready to assume your new position and to enhance your success.

The Office of Professional Development and Faculty Affairs is concerned with instructional strategies, career development and the administrative aspects of faculty membership.  PDFA Staff and Contact Information

Faculty Affairs

Faculty Affairs concerns administrative aspects of faculty membership, including academic promotion and application for tenure.

Faculty Affairs policies and procedures are governed by the regulations of the University and Medical School. Faculty members should be familiar with the University of Kansas Handbook for Faculty and Unclassified Staff, the system of Faculty Governance and the By Laws of the Faculty of the School of Medicine (PDF).

Professional Development

Projects administered via Professional Development assist faculty members in achieving professional goals in the rapidly changing health care and scientific environment.  Our goal is to help faculty achieve excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship.  Special thanks to the committee members for their assistance with developing the PDFA Training Series of events. 2009-2010 PDFA Planning Committee Members

Functions of the Office

• Facilitate recruitment, appointment, promotion, and retention of faculty
• Review, revise, and maintain appointment, promotion, and tenure guidelines  
• Coordinate PDFA Training events for faculty members in the School of Medicine to foster career development, hone professional skills, and enhance the teaching and research environment
• Conduct an annual New Faculty Orientation Breakfast
• Maintain the New Faculty On-Boarding website to foster a smoother transition into a new position and institution
• Assist with the implimentation of a department based school-wide Faculty Mentoring Program
• Conduct an annual Faculty Evaluation
• Coordinate resources and opportunities to support the professional development of faculty members in the School of Medicine

This web site is designed to be a convenient resource in assisting faculty. If there is something you would like to see here, please let us know. Our goal is to help faculty achieve excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship.

Of course at any time you are welcome to contact me or the staff of the SOM Office of Professional Development and Faculty Affairs (PDFA).

Good luck in your new position and once again, welcome to our KUMC Community.

Robert M. Klein, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Professional Development and Faculty Affairs (PDFA)
Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology
School of Medicine
University of Kansas Medical Center
rklein@kumc.edu
913.588.5071

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