Faculty Clinical Track

Clinical lecturers have shown competency as clinicians and hold a doctoral degree or an equivalent terminal degree in their field. Letters from individuals with firsthand knowledge of the candidate are required to document clinical competency, suitability for an academic medical environment, and potential for growth in clinical and scholarly areas. Appointments of clinical lecturers are the prerogative of the department chair or unit head, within the constraints of University appointment procedures, and must be approved by the Dean’s Office of Faculty Affairs. The appointments are for one year and are renewable, for a maximum to four years. Clinical Lecturers may be recommended for appointment to a new track and rank and are not subject to the annual promotion process. This rank is used for those that meet qualifications to be appointed as a faculty member and will be participating in a non-ACGME training program.

A Clinical Instructor is fully trained to provide clinical care and is qualified to participate in educational programs at the University of Michigan Medical School. Appointment to this rank requires evidence that the individual has received an appropriate level of medical and graduate medical education and documentation of clinical competence. Certification by the relevant professional board must be pending or completed, recognizing that exceptions for some internationally trained physicians may be granted by the Medical School. Letters from individuals with firsthand knowledge of the candidate are required to document the candidate’s clinical competency, suitability for an academic medical environment, potential as a teacher and clinical role model, and potential for growth in clinical and scholarly areas. Instructor appointments are made by the department chair or unit head, within the constraints of University appointment procedures, and must be approved by the Dean’s Office of Faculty Affairs.

A Clinical Assistant Professor has excelled in clinical care and teaching, and these are the primary requirements for appointment to this rank.

• Clinical work: Clinical excellence is documented by letters from local references who must attest to the quality of clinical service. Certification by a relevant professional board or the equivalent is a usual expectation at this rank, although this qualification may be in progress at the time of appointment according to the requirements of the relevant professional board; exceptions for some internationally trained physicians may be granted by the Medical School.
• Teaching: Quality of teaching is documented by objective teaching evaluations and letters from appropriate learner groups (undergraduate students, medical or graduate students, interns, residents, fellows). If the candidate is lacking teaching evaluations, supportive letters describing teaching efforts and quality are required.
• Scholarship: A Clinical Assistant Professor should show progress toward scholarly engagement in their field. On the Clinical Track, publication of one or more peer-reviewed articles in professional journals, book chapters, clinical guidelines and review articles are evidence of scholarly contributions. These contributions, along with invited presentations and abstracts, are typical accomplishments of faculty at this rank. 
• Service: Organizational service, while desirable, is not required for appointment at the rank of Clinical Assistant Professor.

A Clinical Associate Professor has excelled in teaching and clinical work and has achieved a regional or national reputation in their area of expertise. Peer-reviewed, published scholarship and service to the institution, regional or national organizations is expected. Promotion to Clinical Associate Professor signals the passage into medical academia’s senior rank. Individuals at this rank are expected to be role models of collegiality, integrity, scholarship, and excellence in their professions. Typically, these qualities are documented by letters from arm’s length external sources.

Appointment and promotion to this highest rank in the Clinical Track requires continued outstanding teaching, mentorship, and clinical service. A national or international reputation is expected in scholarship, research, or teaching. A Clinical Professor must demonstrate extensive and ongoing scholarly activity and should have a substantial record of first author and/or senior author publications in peer-reviewed journals that have resulted in broad peer recognition in their area of expertise. Leadership in regional or national specialty societies or boards is the norm. Institutional citizenship is expected of a Clinical Professor.