The CWAMS Faculty Advisory Network pilot program successfully launched in the spring of 2021, offering individually-tailored support, services, and expertise for established women faculty who aim to advance in academic medicine and science, including into higher leadership roles.
23 participants were selected to join the pilot program. Advisees have been faculty members for between 3-26 years, ranging from assistant to associate to full professors from 13 medical schools across the U.S.
They comprise a wide range of specialties and subspecialties, including Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Epidemiology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pathology, Psychiatry, Otolaryngology, Microbiology & Immunology, Biomedical Genetics, Biostatistics & Computational Biology, Genetics, and Surgery.
Each participant has been individually matched to one of our Senior Advisors to the Faculty Advisory Network. Advisors and advisees meet at an agreed-upon schedule (usually monthly) that best suits the particular needs of each advisee. Meetings typically last up to 60 minutes.
Advisors are leveraging their experiences to provide external perspectives and support to advisees. They provide career advising to determine next professional and academic steps; connect advisees to sponsors in specific research arenas and for leadership opportunities; and offer confidential direction regarding work environment issues. Advice for managing contracts and dealing with imposter syndrome have proven especially helpful for advisees.
The Faculty Advisory Network pilot program will be continuing for several more months, and a second cohort will be accepted next year. If you would like to be notified when the application process opens for the next round, please sign up to receive our newsletter.