Clinician-Leader Pathway
Driving healthcare transformation through clinical excellence and innovative leadership
Driving Innovation
This pathway values leadership that produces measurable improvements in healthcare delivery, quality, safety, and population health while advancing collaborative excellence and innovative care models. A Clinican-Leader’s unique position as both clinician and leader enables transformative changes that benefit all patients, colleagues, and communities. Focus is on clinical service and scholarship of service.
Collaborative Leadership
Outstanding healthcare leadership increasingly requires team-based approaches, collaborative innovation, and evidence-based practice improvement. This pathway values leaders who drive organizational change through collaborative methodologies, develop diverse talent pipelines, and ensure sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Promotion Requirements:
Expected Time Allocation
Clinical Service: Typically, ≥20% • Research: Variable • Teaching & Mentoring: >10% • Administrative Service: ≥40%
The scholarship of leadership involves sustained commitment that results in disseminable products such as quality improvement research, healthcare delivery innovations, policy contributions, or community health programs. These scholarly products, especially those addressing collaborative innovation and evidence-based leadership, are valued equally with traditional research publications.
Assistant Professor
Developing Leadership Skills • Years 1-6+
Timeline & Expectations
Typical Duration: 5-6 years (minimum 5 years) • Focus: Develop collaborative leadership identity alongside clinical excellence • Key Milestone: Evidence of leadership impact and emerging innovation-focused scholarship
Basic Qualifications & Requirements
- Postgraduate training in clinical medicine beyond MD/DO degree
- For MDs/DOs: Successful completion of US accredited residency/fellowship program
- Specialty board certification or eligibility
- Relevant PA state licensure
- Published evidence of scholarly/quality improvement activities
Leadership Development
- Take on meaningful leadership roles appropriate to career stage
- Demonstrate effective, collaborative leadership and team-building skills
- Show evidence of positive impact on organizational goals and innovation
- Participate in leadership development opportunities including collaborative approaches
- Build diverse relationships and networks within and outside institution
Clinical Excellence
- Provide high-quality, evidence-based patient care
- Apply clinical expertise to leadership decisions with innovation focus
- Participate in clinical quality improvement initiatives
- Demonstrate clinical competence that supports leadership credibility
- Mentor others in clinical settings with collaborative leadership perspective
Impact and Innovation
- Lead projects or initiatives with measurable improvement outcomes
- Participate in quality improvement with collaborative methodologies
- Contribute to policy development or implementation
- Engage in community health or service activities
- Begin developing scholarship related to leadership and innovation
Collaborative Innovation Development
- Demonstrate understanding of healthcare innovation and collaborative approaches
- Participate in team science initiatives and collaborative leadership training
- Show innovation in leadership and organizational improvement approaches
- Mentor diverse colleagues and trainees in collaborative practices
- Contribute to creating collaborative organizational environments
Associate Professor
Demonstrating Leadership Impact • Years 5-12+
An Associate Professor Clinician-Leader has established themself as an effective leader whose contributions have measurable impact on healthcare delivery, organizational effectiveness, and community health while advancing collaborative innovation and evidence-based practice improvement. Their leadership creates meaningful change that improves outcomes through team-based approaches, and they have begun to develop scholarship that advances the field of healthcare leadership while maintaining clinical excellence.
*Evidence of High-Impact Scholarship: Impact is determined by H-index, number of citations, documented evidence in referee letters, and other measures of scholarly influence and recognition within one’s field.
Timeline & Expectations
Minimum Time: 5+ years as Assistant Professor • Focus: Sustained leadership excellence with innovation-focused scholarship development • Recognition: Growing reputation for transformative leadership impact
Benchmarks
Leadership Scholarship:
- Typically, ≥10 publications (original data manuscripts, reviews, monographs, books, chapters, clinical practice guidelines)
- Virtual educational modules, simulation modules for clinical skills training
- Development or application of technology (such as AI) to improve clinical care/patient safety
- Consistent and continuing resources to sustain scholarship from diverse sources
- Peer-review activities for journals, grant funding agencies, institutional improvement initiatives
Teaching & Service Excellence:
- Typically, ≥5 years of teaching/mentoring activities with performance evaluations at or above mean of peers
- Director or Co-director of major institutional clinical programs
- Membership on departmental or health system standing committees
- Participation in local, regional, or national collaborative innovation activities
Organizational Leadership
Administrative & Service Leadership
- Director or Co-director of major institutional clinical programs
- Membership on departmental or health system standing committees
- Quality improvement and patient safety committee leadership
- Membership on national clinical practice guideline or position paper committees
- Leadership roles in initiatives to improve patient access to care (virtual care programs)
Quality & Safety Leadership
- Development or application of technology to improve clinical care/patient safety
- Extramural or intramural funding for quality improvement processes
- Leadership in processes that improve quality of care, access, or patient safety
- Evidence of measurable improvements in clinical outcomes
- Innovation in healthcare delivery through collaborative approaches
Collaborative Innovation Leadership
- Participation in local, regional, or national collaborative innovation activities
- Leadership roles in initiatives advancing team-based care models
- Development of collaborative policies and practices
- Community partnerships addressing healthcare innovation and improvement
- Leadership in evidence-based practice improvement and implementation
Clinical Service and QI
- Maintenance of clinical competence and high-quality patient care
- Application of clinical expertise to leadership and quality improvement
- Integration of innovation considerations into clinical practice
- Recognition for clinical excellence and leadership
- Mentoring clinical excellence in diverse trainees
Quality Improvement Leadership
- Leadership in quality improvement initiatives with measurable outcomes
- Development of quality metrics and improvement processes
- Patient safety initiatives with documented impact
- Implementation of evidence-based quality improvements
- Quality improvement research and scholarship
Healthcare Systems Leadership
- Leadership in healthcare delivery system improvements
- Development of new care models through collaborative approaches
- Healthcare technology implementation and optimization
- Population health management and community health initiatives
- Healthcare policy development and implementation
Teaching and Mentoring
Teaching & Educational Leadership
- Typically, ≥5 years of teaching/mentoring with evaluations at or above mean of peers
- Invited lectures (local, regional, and national CME) and visiting professorships
- Organization of and/or participation in clinical conferences or society meetings
- Media appearances for public education on medical topics
- Leadership positions in residency/fellowship training programs or T32 grants
Mentoring & Development
- Leadership positions or key faculty designation in training programs
- Successful mentoring of diverse trainees with documented outcomes
- Development of mentoring programs for emerging leaders
- Mentoring in leadership development and career advancement
- Recognition for mentoring excellence and collaborative practices
Educational Innovation
- Development of innovative educational approaches and technologies
- Creation of simulation modules for clinical skills training
- Virtual educational modules and digital learning platforms
- Educational research addressing innovation in medical education
- Leadership in educational program development and implementation
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Developer of systemwide expansion of new clinical services or models of care
- Development, publication, or commercialization of novel clinical procedures
- Developer of high-impact clinical websites
- Innovation in healthcare delivery through evidence-based approaches
- Leadership in technology adoption and implementation
Research & Technology Innovation
- Inventor on patents with clinical applications
- Hold Investigational New Drug Application (IND) or Investigational Device Exemption (IDE)
- Development, publication, or commercialization of novel devices or research methodologies
- Development or application of AI technology to improve clinical care/patient safety
- Technology transfer activities with documented clinical impact
Educational Innovation
- Developer of new credit-bearing didactic courses
- Developer of high-impact educational content
- Development, publication, or commercialization of novel teaching products
- Virtual educational modules and simulation training innovations
- Educational technology solutions addressing collaborative learning
Professor
Leading Transformation • Years 10-15+
A Professor Clinician-Leader has established themself as a visionary leader whose work significantly transforms healthcare delivery, organizational effectiveness, and community health while advancing innovation and collaborative excellence. Their sustained leadership creates lasting change that influences practice beyond their institution and drives systemic improvements in healthcare delivery and outcomes. They are recognized nationally and internationally for contributions that advance both healthcare delivery and the scholarship of innovative leadership.
*Evidence of High Impact Scholarship: Impact is determined by H-index, number of citations, documented evidence in referee letters, and other measures of scholarly influence and recognition within one’s field.
Timeline & Expectations
Minimum Time: 5-7 years as Associate Professor • Focus: Transformative leadership with national/international recognition and innovation impact • Impact: Significant influence on healthcare delivery, leadership practice, and collaborative excellence
Benchmarks
Leadership Scholarship:
- Typically, ≥20 publications or equivalents as defined for Associate Professors
- PI or Co-PI on extramural or intramural awards focused on patient care quality, access, and/or safety (as applicable)
- Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Board member of clinical journals or books
- Chair or member of standing grant review committees for funding agencies
- Chair or member of national clinical practice guideline or position paper committees
Leadership & Service Excellence:
- Typically, >10 years of teaching and mentoring with evaluations above mean of peer group
- Director of major health system-wide clinical programs
- Leadership roles in national medical/professional societies
- Leadership role in local, regional, or national collaborative innovation initiatives
Leadership Scholarship & Impact
Track A: Scholarly Leadership
For leaders whose primary contributions advance healthcare through research, publication, and external scholarly activities
- Typically, ≥20 publications or equivalents as defined for Associate Professors
- PI or Co-PI on extramural or intramural awards focused on patient care quality, access, and/or safety
- Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Board member of clinical journals or books
- Chair or member of standing grant review committees for funding agencies
- Chair or member of national clinical practice guideline or position paper committees
Track B: Transformative Administrative Leadership
For leaders whose primary contributions advance healthcare through major organizational and system-wide leadership roles
- Senior Executive Leadership: C-suite or equivalent senior administrative positions with documented transformative impact
- Major Organizational Transformation: Leadership of initiatives resulting in measurable improvements across multiple domains (quality, safety, access, financial performance)
- System-Wide Innovation: Development and implementation of care delivery models, quality programs, or operational innovations adopted across health systems
- Crisis Leadership: Successful navigation of major organizational challenges, regulatory issues, or crisis management with documented positive outcomes
- Strategic Vision Implementation: Leadership of major strategic initiatives with measurable impact on organizational mission and community health
Track C: Hybrid Scholarly-Administrative Leadership
For leaders who balance significant administrative responsibilities with ongoing scholarly contributions
- Sustained administrative leadership role (Division Chief, Department Vice Chair, or equivalent) combined with:
- Typically, ≥10-15 publications or equivalents focused on healthcare delivery, quality improvement, or leadership
- Advisory roles on national committees, task forces, or professional societies
- Consultation or advisory roles with other healthcare organizations
- Speaking engagements at national conferences on healthcare leadership topics
- Mentoring or development of other physician leaders across organizations
Documentation of Impact
All tracks require robust documentation of transformative impact through multiple evidence sources:
- Quantitative Measures: Metrics demonstrating improvements in quality, safety, access, patient satisfaction, financial performance, or population health
- External Recognition: Awards, honors, invited presentations, or media recognition for leadership contributions
- Peer Validation: Strong letters from healthcare leaders at other institutions documenting national/regional influence
- Sustainable Change: Evidence that leadership contributions have created lasting organizational or field-wide improvements
- Innovation Adoption: Documentation of innovations, policies, or practices developed under candidate’s leadership being adopted by other organizations
Additional Considerations
- Time and Resource Allocation: Recognition that senior administrative leaders may have limited capacity for external scholarly activities due to the demands of transformative organizational leadership
- Equivalent Impact: Administrative leadership achievements that transform healthcare delivery and improve outcomes are valued equally with traditional scholarly contributions
- Collaborative Leadership: Evidence of developing other leaders, building diverse leadership pipelines, and creating collaborative organizational cultures
- Community and Population Impact: Contributions to community health, health equity, and population health management through leadership roles
Research & Scholarship Leadership
- PI or Co-PI on extramural or intramural awards focused on patient care improvement
- Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Board member of clinical journals
- Chair or member of standing grant review committees for funding agencies
- Chair or member of national clinical practice guideline or position paper committees
- Sustained program of leadership scholarship with significant impact
Teaching & Mentoring Excellence
- Typically, >10 years of teaching and mentoring with evaluations above mean of peer group
- Leadership role or director of CME courses
- Leadership role or director of advanced clinical skills programs
- Leadership role in curriculum development for postgraduate clinical training
- Local or national awards for teaching/mentoring or public outreach program
Collaborative Leadership & Innovation Legacy
- Leadership role in local, regional, or national collaborative innovation initiatives
- National leadership in advancing collaborative excellence and team-based approaches
- Systemic changes improving healthcare outcomes through innovative methods
- Development of diverse leadership pipeline with lasting impact
- Recognition for transformative contributions to collaborative healthcare leadership
Transformative Impact
- Healthcare delivery innovations adopted by multiple organizations
- Policy influence at state, national, or international level
- Major improvements in population health and healthcare delivery
- Leadership in crisis management or major organizational change
- Development of new standards or best practices in healthcare
Professional & Global Leadership
- Leadership roles in national medical/professional societies
- Chair or member of standing grant review committees for funding agencies
- International collaborations with measurable impact
- Recognition through awards and honors in multiple domains
- Lasting contributions that reshape healthcare leadership
Measuring Transformative Impact at Professor Level
System Change: Healthcare delivery transformation, policy influence, standard setting
Innovation Impact: Collaborative excellence advancement, evidence-based practice transformation
Leadership Development: Diverse leaders developed, succession planning, cultural transformation
Global Recognition: International influence, awards, thought leadership, lasting legacy
Tenure
Scholarship Excellence (Primary Criterion)
Candidates must demonstrate scholarly achievement at the highest level through one of the established tracks:
- Track A (Scholarly Leadership): Typically, ≥20 high-impact publications, editorial roles, national committee leadership, and documented scholarly influence equivalent to traditional research-focused pathways. External funding as PI, Co-PI, or Co-I is valued but not required
- Track B (Transformative Administrative Leadership): Exceptional documentation of scholarship through measurable organizational transformation, with peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and external validation of innovations that advance the field of healthcare leadership
- Track C (Hybrid Leadership): Sustained scholarly productivity (≥10-15 high-impact publications) combined with major administrative achievements, demonstrating equivalent scholarly rigor and impact as traditional academic pathways
Exceptional Institutional Leadership
- Sustained leadership that fundamentally advances institutional mission
- Transformative contributions to institutional excellence and reputation
- Recognition as an essential leader in institutional advancement
- Significant contributions to institutional innovation and collaborative excellence
- Leadership that positions institution as a national leader in healthcare
National Recognition & Impact
- Leadership roles in national healthcare or professional organizations
- Recognition as a thought leader in healthcare leadership and innovation
- Major healthcare policy influence at national level
- Leadership in healthcare transformation initiatives
- Significant contributions to the scholarship of healthcare leadership
Documentation Requirements
Tenure candidates must provide robust evidence of scholarly impact through traditional academic metrics (H-index, citations, peer-reviewed publications) and leadership-specific measures (organizational outcomes, policy influence, innovation adoption). External funding as PI, Co-PI, or Co-I strengthens the application but is not required. Candidates must demonstrate scholarship at the highest academic standards while creating transformative institutional and field-wide impact.