Bailey DN, Buja LM, Gorstein F, Gotlieb A, Green R, Kane A, Lipscomb MF, Sanfilippo F. Life After Being a Pathology Department Chair III: Reflections on the "Afterlife".
Acad Pathol 2019;
6:2374289519846068. [PMID:
31069254 PMCID:
PMC6492355 DOI:
10.1177/2374289519846068]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Association of Pathology Chairs Senior Fellows Group provided reflections on
activities that have kept them engaged and inspired after stepping down as chair. They
offered advice to current chairs who were considering leaving their positions and also to
individuals contemplating becoming pathology chairs. A majority (35/41) responded: 60%
maintained teaching/mentoring activities; 43% engaged in hobbies; 40% took other
administrative positions including deans, medical center chief executive officers, and
residency program directors; 31% continued research; 28% wrote books; 20% performed
community service; 14% led professional organizations; 14% developed specialized programs;
11% engaged in clinical service; and 11% performed entrepreneurial activities. Most
individuals had several of these activities. One-third indicated that those considering
becoming chair should be able to place faculty and department needs before their own.
One-fourth emphasized the need to know why one wants to become chair, the need to develop
clear goals, and the need to know what one wants to accomplish as chair before applying
for and accepting the position. More than half (57%) indicated that before stepping down
as chair, one should have a clear plan and/or professional goals that can be served by
stepping down. Some even suggested that this be in place before applying for the chair.
Almost two-thirds (63%) indicated they had no regrets stepping down as chair. These
findings may be valuable to those contemplating stepping down from or stepping into any
department chair position or other academic leadership role.
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