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Faculty Development
Department Of AnesthesiologyResourcesFaculty DevelopmentPromotion ProcessPromotion to Professor

Promotion to Professor

The rank of Professor is conferred only on those faculty members who exhibit the highest levels of scholarly achievement and service to the School and UMB. Those holding this rank constitute the faculty having primary responsibility for setting the standards of excellence for teaching, scholarship, clinical practice (if applicable), and service to the School and UMB. Nothing less than excellence is acceptable.

The rank of Professor is never granted solely as a reward for length of service. The criteria applicable to the rank of Professor are those already indicated (Citizenship, Education, Professionalism) as applicable to the rank of Associate Professor, with the additional criterion that a Professor be a highly regarded scholar in the field, with a clearly established national reputation. Evidence of teaching ability must include a proven ability to direct the programs of advanced students (e.g., residents, postdoctoral fellows) in the appointee’s field.

Scholarly Output

A Professor must have a sustained, high level of productivity and excellence in contributions to knowledge. Evidence of the exceptional scholarly achievement required for the rank of Professor may include (but shall not be limited to):

  • Sustained record of scholarly publications in high ranking, peer- reviewed journals
  • Appointment to editorial boards of highly competitive journals
  • Appointment to major peer review groups
  • Selection to governing boards of professional societies

The number of published, peer-reviewed (i.e., PUBMED) papers (co-) authored should meet the 25%ile (currently 49 papers) for candidates successfully promoted to Professor in the School over the trailing three years. This analysis of successful candidates is updated yearly-- see Frequently Asked Questions on this site for the latest APT analysis of the number of peer-reviewed publications, citations and h-index for successful candidates. The h-index and number of citations analysis are also important, especially for research faculty members.

A Professor should have been already elected to membership in select professional societies (e.g., AUA) and have been invited to present research or clinical innovation at national and international meetings.

When research activities comprise the majority of a faculty member’s professional effort, then a Professor should be a director of an independent and productive research program. A Professor must have the ability to secure continual funding from multiple independent sources especially federal awards including NIH grants (R01) and should be currently listed as PI or MPI. Assuming directorship on multi-investigator research grants, such as program project grants, center grants, or training grants is evidence of leadership in their field.

When clinical activities comprise the majority of a faculty member’s professional effort, the Professor’s clinical excellence must be recognized. Evidence may include (but shall not be limited to):

  • Sustained record of clinical publications in peer- reviewed journals
  • Broad-based patient referral pattern
  • Selection to governing boards of professional societies
  • Director of a productive clinical unit
  • Election to membership in select professional societies
  • Invited clinical presentations at national and international meetings

Effective and relevant service contributions to the School and UMB, the profession, and the surrounding community also should be part of the record.