This week, the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine hosted a virtual luncheon to honor participants in the New Faculty Mentoring Program (NFMP).
“Mentoring is a key focus for academic physicians who have many competing demands on their time,” said Shannon Boerner, M.D., director of faculty mentoring and development for the department. “Literature has shown that the strategic use of mentoring enables better support, engagement and retention of faculty.”
During the virtual luncheon, Dr. Boerner thanked those who participated in the NFMP over the past academic year.
“Taking time out of already busy schedules to support one another in our career development ultimately helps us all grow stronger,” she said. “The Faculty Development Task Force also has lent their ongoing support and expertise, and I appreciate their input and efforts.”
Since Dr. Boerner was named director in 2015, with a mandate to help connect the department’s nearly 300 faculty members to resources across campus, the department has built multiple new programs, including the NFMP, to provide active support and onboarding during the first year of an academic appointment.
Since that time, Dr. Boerner also has matched more than 80 faculty members with an individual mentor, with the relationships serving to support goal setting, active career planning and accountability.
Read more about the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine’s faculty development efforts here.