Faculty Professional Development Series

Dear Faculty,

We are thrilled to introduce a new, year-long Faculty Professional Development Series, launching this academic year. This virtual series is designed to support faculty at all career stages through weekly themed tracks focused on key competencies.

Grounded in national standards and models—including AAMC core competencies, LCME standards, ACGME expectations, USC Unifying Values, and frameworks from the Kern National Network for Flourishing in Medicine (KNN) and the Stanford Model of Occupational Well-being™—this series aims to foster professional growth and well-being across our academic community.

When: Every Wednesday, 3:00 – 4:00 PM (PT) from August 2025 to June 2026
Where: Virtual (Zoom link provided immediately upon registration)
View topics and register here:  https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-affairs/professional-development/ofaaifacultyworkshops/

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Topics for August 2025:

8/6/2025 Promotion Information for Junior Faculty
8/13/2025 Understanding Retirement Options and Financial Planning Basics
8/20/2025 Understanding Your Academic Medical Center: Structure, Culture, and Strategy
8/27/2025 Recalibrating Purpose and Career Direction at Mid- to Senior Career
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Weekly Thematic Tracks (2025-26):

—-1st Wednesday – Appointment and Merit Review
Guidance on academic advancement, dossier preparation, and navigating review processes.
—2nd Wednesday – Retirement and Career Transitions
Conversations on legacy building, succession planning, phased retirement, and life beyond academia.
—3rd Wednesday – Junior Faculty: Foundations for a Successful Academic Career
Practical strategies and resources to help early-career faculty establish a strong foundation in academic medicine.
—4th Wednesday – Leading with Purpose: Aligning Goals, Time, and Engagement for a Sustainable Academic Career
Sessions focused on personal leadership development, career recalibration, and long-term sustainability.
—5th Wednesday (when applicable) – Leadership Journey & Department/Institutional Leadership
Special topics featuring academic chairs, senior leaders, and leadership development content.

Additional Benefits:

—-CME credit will be available for eligible sessions; the full series is under review, with several sessions already approved.
Faculty who participate in the full series, or complete at least 70% of all 42 sessions, or 70% of the sessions within a specific track, will receive a Certificate of Completion in recognition of their dedication to focused professional development.
—Whether you are just starting your academic journey or planning your next chapter, this series is designed to support your continued growth and success.
—We will also assess the impact of these offerings and use participant feedback and data to continuously enhance future sessions.

We look forward to learning and growing together each week!

Other Professional Development Opportunities:
In addition to the Wednesday recurring series, the OFAAI offers additional workshops and special events throughout the year. These sessions cover a wide range of topics to further support faculty growth and success. All non-recurring sessions are listed under “Other Professional Development Opportunities” on the OFAAI calendar.

With appreciation,

Office of Faculty Affairs, Advancement, and Inclusion
Keck School of Medicine of USC
KeckFA@med.usc.edu