Innovative Education
Clinical Scholars Program Brings Us the Best and the Brightest
The Houston Methodist Academic Institute Clinical Scholars program recognizes the distinctive and critical role that physician-scientists play in advancing its core missions
The Houston Methodist Academic Institute recognizes the distinctive and critical role that physician-scientists play in advancing its core missions as an academic medical center. These core missions include: 1) delivering integrated and high-quality patient care; 2) educating the next generation of health-care providers and providers-in-training; and 3) performing basic, translational and clinical research to expand our understanding of human disease and to create new tools for improved health. The Clinical Scholars program meets that need by helping to grow our cadre of rising physician-scientists.
To strengthen our ability to both perform top-tier research and deliver the high-quality patient care that Houston Methodist is known for, we must bring the best to our organization. The Clinical Scholars program allows us to draw from among the most talented young physician-scientists around the world with the offer of protected time for scientific endeavors and the ability to grow their clinical skills.
Our Clinical Scholars are exceptionally talented, early-stage investigators with an MD, MD/PhD, PhD, or equivalent degree who are educated and trained in both clinical practice and scientific investigation, who have a track record of commitment to and excellence in research during graduate and post-graduate endeavors and who wish to devote substantial portions of their careers to both clinic and research in their new position with Houston Methodist. Candidates submit applications and must be nominated by clinical department chairs as well as a Houston Methodist Research Institute department chair or senior member.
Since its inception, our Clinical Scholars have received more than
$8 million in extramural funding and have accomplished
82
publications
9
chapters
33
abstracts
57
presentations
The program offers well-rounded support as well as the flexibility to select an area of pursuit. Clinical Scholars can choose from one of three paths:
- Clinician Scientists: Award recipients receive $250,000 per year and dedicate at least 50% of their time to translational research (awardees must pursue extramural funding support);
- Clinician Trialists: Award recipients receive $100,000 per year and dedicate at least 20% of their time to clinical trials (awardees must pursue extramural funding support); or
- Clinician Educators: Award recipients receive $100,000 per year and commit at least 20% of their time to educational activities (awardees must conduct educational research and/or participate in clinical education training programs)
- The candidates’ previous accomplishments and recommendation letters
- The quality of the proposed projects
- The quality of the career development plans as judged by progressive development as well as the protected time guarantee from the department chairs
- The appropriateness and presumed availability of the candidates’ mentors
Luanne Jorewicz, July 2022
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