Endowed faculty positions in academic emergency medicine: where we are and where we need to go

To survey academic departments of Emergency Medicine (ADEMs) in the United States concerning the number of endowed faculty positions, a survey was sent to the chairs of all 62 ADEMs in the United States belonging to the Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency Medicine (AACEM) as of March 1, 2004. The survey requested information on: the number of endowed chair and professorship positions; the amount required to fully fund an endowed faculty position; the date established; the source of funding; and if plans were in place to establish an endowed position. Sixty-two chairs (100%) responded. There are currently five endowed chair positions in four ADEMs. Twenty-eight chairs (45%) replied they are in the process of establishing an endowed chair; of these, six chairs (10%) have partially funded the position. There are four endowed professorship positions in three ADEMs. Twenty-one chairs (34%) are in the process of establishing an endowed professorship; of these, two ADEMs (3%) have partially funded the positions. The most common funding sources cited for these endowed positions were "former residents" and "friends." Nearly all chairs replied they were allowed to spend only 5% of the value of the endowment each year. In conclusion, there are currently only nine endowed faculty positions in six ADEMs in the United States. Another eight positions (six chairs and two professorships) are partially funded. Greater effort must be made in establishing more such positions in Emergency Medicine.