A Conceptual Model for Navigating a Career Path in Medical School Leadership

There is a paucity of literature providing guidance to physicians hoping to attain a position as a medical school dean. Realizing this gap, the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Faculty Development Committee organized an educational session focused on offering faculty guidance for obtaining a position in medical school leadership. The session involved panelists who are nationally known leaders in medical school administration and was successfully presented at the SAEM 2018 annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. Knowledge and perspective gained both during this session and through literature review was analyzed using a conceptual thinking skills framework. This process offered insights that promoted the development of a conceptual model informed by current evidence and expert insight and rooted in educational, economic, and cognitive theory. This model provides a step-by-step guide detailing a process that physicians can use to create a plan for professional development that is informed, thoughtful, and individualized to their own needs to optimize their future chances of advancing to a career in medical school leadership.