Structure

The essential structure of University, School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, and surgical Divisions are an existing framework that is the basis of mentoring activity. Within the organizational structure and timeliness put forth by the Institution, specific responsibilities and activities should be accomplished. While much assistance is conventionally available and operative, the Program serves to formalize some of the responsibilities and assure accountability, cohesion, and coverage.

The structure of the Program has two principle components:

1. The first is the existing structure of the Department Chair and Division Chiefs who will insure that when faculty members are hired, their career goals are consistent with administrative expectations.
2. The second will be the Faculty Career Development Advisory Committee, which will meet monthly to review individual faculty development in the context of overall Departmental strategies. The members will also meet individually with faculty to help guide them in career development, providing a mentorship umbrella.
   
   1. This Committee will be chaired by the Chair of Surgery.
   2. It will present its findings quarterly to Division Chiefs.
   3. This group will oversee the development of the Departmental web-site to include information about career development, promotion and tenure, resources for academic activities, and institutional links.

Faculty will be encouraged to find mentors not only in the Department of Surgery, but in other Departments at UNC and other institutions. These mentors will serve as resources to faculty in pursuing career goals. It is expected that faculty will have several individuals who act as mentors, and that these will change with time and goals.

Programmatic success will be assessed continually to improve the process, and evaluated formally in two to three years from implementation to assess whether it is meetings its goals and expectations.