Endowed Faculty Positions in Academic Emergency Medicine: 2021

In 2004, 2009, and 2014, we examined the number of endowed faculty positions in academic departments of emergency medicine (ADEMs).

We sought to survey ADEMs regarding the current number of endowed faculty positions and compare the results over time.

A survey was emailed to the chairs of all ADEMs belonging to the Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency Medicine or identified by the Association of American Medical Colleges. We requested the following information: number of endowed chairs and professorship positions; the amount required to fund; the amount allowed to be spent annually; the date established; and the names of the positions.

One hundred chairs responded out of a total of 109 ADEMs, for a response rate of 92%. Thirty-eight ADEMs (38%) reported having a total of 55 endowed chair positions. Twenty-six ADEMs (26%) reported having a total of 37 endowed professorships. The most common amount required to fund an endowed chair was $2 million to $2.5 million, and $1 million for an endowed professorship. The majority of ADEMs were allowed to spend 4-5% of the value of the endowment annually.

Forty-six individual ADEMs (46%) reported having at least one endowed faculty position compared with only 30 in 2014 and only 19 in 2009. The total number of endowed faculty positions in ADEMs was 92 in the current study compared with 53 in 2014, 25 in 2009, and only 9 in 2004.