In this week's enlightening episode of the Faculty Factory Podcast, we explore finding satisfaction in our careers. We discuss how we measure and perceive this satisfaction, as well as examine its connection to success—or the lack thereof. Joining us for this introspective discussion is our first-time guest, Brian Downer, PhD.

With the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Dr. Downer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health and Health Disparities in the School of Public and Population Health. He is also the Director of the Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program and a Program Director for Population Health Sciences Program. Dr. Downer is a Gerontologist by training.

If you would like to read the article referenced by Dr. Downer in this podcast, you can find the 2023 article from the Harvard Business Review titled "Why Success Doesn’t Lead to Satisfaction" here: https://hbr.org/2023/01/why-success-doesnt-lead-to-satisfaction.

Where does satisfaction start? Perhaps with a shift in your mindset, as we learn from Dr. Downer and the article he references above throughout today’s conversation.

As outlined in this podcast, that mindset shift is about finding satisfaction “because,” not “when.” Essentially, if you wait until you achieve something to believe that you will derive satisfaction from it, that fulfillment may never come, or it may be very short-lived, leaving you wanting so much more.

Finding joy in the journey, rather than in the destination, can be the key to achieving the satisfaction that you might otherwise find missing as your career milestones, laurels, achievements, and “successes” accumulate. How to go about capturing that joy is at the heart of this discussion.

Visit the Faculty Factory website for more resources: https://facultyfactory.org/.

This week’s Faculty Factory Podcast episode is dedicated to exploring interprofessional collaboration and team science with our distinguished return guest, Wendy Ward, PhD, ABPP, FAPA.

Dr. Ward is a pediatric psychologist and serves as Associate Provost and Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock.

Additionally, she is the Director of Interprofessional Faculty Development at UAMS.

As mentioned in the opening moments of today’s interview, Dr. Ward joined us for a podcast interview in 2020 regarding Interprofessional Education (IPE), which provides a complementary resource to today’s discussion. You can access that interview here: https://facultyfactory.org/interprofessional-faculty-development-with-wendy-ward-phd-abpp-fapa/.

Team building in our field is essential because different perspectives tend to solve difficult problems more effectively. In the world of academic medicine, we face massive hurdles coming in many different forms that need to be surmounted on a daily basis. It really is that simple.

Not only will this interprofessional approach set us on the path toward stronger healthcare outcomes, but it also helps secure better research funding opportunities, as pointed out by Dr. Ward.

“We want to connect effective team-based practice with healthcare outcomes or, in the research arena, with securing larger grants,” Dr. Ward said.

We applaud Dr. Ward for her continuous and robust contributions to the Faculty Factory over the years. If you would like to get in touch with her to learn more, you can email her directly at [email protected].

In case you missed it, Dr. Ward also joined us last week for an episode covering leadership skills in academic health centers, which you can find here: https://facultyfactory.org/leadership-skills/.

A frequent contributor to the Faculty Factory Podcast is back this week for another one of her trademark episodes that will leave you wanting more. Wendy Ward, PhD, ABPP, FAPA, returns as we discuss many aspects of developing leadership skills in academic health centers.

Even if you never entered the profession intending to take on a formal leadership position, Dr. Ward’s tutelage will help you adopt the right mindset should that opportunity unexpectedly arise, as it often does in academic medicine settings.

Dr. Ward is a pediatric psychologist and serves as Associate Provost and Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock. At UAMS, she also serves as the Director of Interprofessional Faculty Development.

As mentioned in this interview, Dr. Ward is a significant contributor to our book, The Academic Medicine Starter Kit, which you can read and download for free here: https://facultyfactory.org/ebook/#starterkit.

Visit FacultyFactory.org for more resources: https://facultyfactory.org/ 

Michael A. Barone, MD, MPH, President and CEO of the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), is our guest for this week’s memorable edition of the Faculty Factory Podcast.

His background in academic medicine and passion for all three pillars of its tripartite mission (clinical care, education, and research) have equipped him for success in many environments, including his time with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). He settled into his role as ABP CEO in early 2024.

Curiosity and a Love of the Tripartite Mission

“I gravitated to academic medicine just because it fed something a little bit different in me,” he told us.

As a board-certified pediatrician and associate professor with Johns Hopkins Medicine, he immersed himself in a culture of inquiry and innovation, laying a strong foundation for his career. With the NBME, he helped oversee the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) program and other vital initiatives.

“That was a great honor and a great responsibility to oversee the US Medical Licensing Examination program,” he said.

Transitions: Building Trust in New Environments

This week, the Faculty Factory Podcast sits down with David J. Skorton, MD, to explore his remarkable journey, filled with insights on leadership, mentorship, and the value of a continuous learning mindset—themes that resonate throughout the interview.

Dr. Skorton is the current President and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), serving professionals throughout the world.

Alongside these values, Dr. Skorton’s rich background in science, music, and education has aided him throughout his journey in navigating the complexities of academic medicine and leadership. Initially aspiring to be a session musician, his father's insistence on pursuing a college education set him on a trajectory that eventually led him to medical school.

He emphasized the importance of learning from all individuals, regardless of their formal titles, telling us, "Mentors come in all shapes and sizes."

 A core theme that emerged from the podcast was the concept of embracing a "beginner's mind." Drawing from Zen philosophy, Dr. Skorton reminded listeners that, "In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind, there are few."

In the interview's closing moments, Dr. Skorton reflects on handling difficult decisions as a leader. He advises us all to remain open and adaptable, recognizing that no one leader can possess all the answers. By valuing collective wisdom and carrying an open mind to learn from everything and anyone, you may just wind up achieving goals that are otherwise unimaginable.

When a leader in academic medicine reaches the pinnacle of their profession yet seeks new challenges, a world of opportunities awaits. This week on the Faculty Factory Podcast, our esteemed guest Paul Rothman, MD, shares his journey with us.

Dr. Rothman previously served as Dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine. Before that, he was the Dean of the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa.

Like many in this field, Dr. Rothman's career path features recurring themes of serendipity, blended with a dedication to mentorship (both receiving it and paying it forward), along with his trademark curiosity.

After fulfilling his term at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Rothman’s new chapter included a stimulating return to the bench on sabbatical, diving into genome editing and further strengthening his lifelong enthusiasm for research and discovery. This opportunity was not available to him while he was engulfed in years of strategic work while leading some of the world’s most prestigious medical institutions.

Dr. Rothman now channels his energy into a mix of leisure activities at his home among the hills of Colorado, along with work in venture capital, mentoring, and board responsibilities. All of these activities have helped him ensure he strikes that always elusive work/life balance while continuing to make a significant impact on healthcare and society.

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As a faculty member and leader at your academic institution, decisiveness may not be a character trait you are known for. It is often not enjoyable to make a transition, or even start the process, but once you find yourself on the other side of that decision, you might just be forever grateful. 

With all of this in mind, there is a strategic approach to making transitions that our guest, Jochen Reiser, MD, PhD, walks us through this week as a first-time guest on our Faculty Factory Podcast.

Since August 2023, Dr. Reiser has served as the President of the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and CEO of the UTMB Health System. He is a professor in the John Sealy School of Medicine and is the John D. Stobo, MD Distinguished Chair.

In today’s podcast, we discuss how 2025 marks a year of transition for both the show and our host, Kimberly A. Skarupski, PhD, MPH, who has been with the Faculty Factory since day one. 

She shares her journey moving to UTMB and reflects on the wonderful support she has received from Johns Hopkins Medicine and now UTMB for this podcast and our community. This watershed episode highlights a significant moment for our show, which has been thriving for six years and counting thanks to our wonderful guests and supportive institutions. 

So much of this conversation about navigating a pending transition starts with recognizing your own “true north.” As stated in this podcast, we need to pause and determine this “true north” if we haven’t already made it an inflexible part of our values that guides our decisions. 

“You need to ask yourself from time to time: look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Is this the place where I still want to be part of this mission?” Dr. Reiser said.

He went on to remind us to be honest with ourselves. If the answer is “no” or if you are unsure, then it is time to take a serious look at what your options are for a significant transition. 

Further advice shared in this week’s conversation includes taking advantage of the rich ecosystems that academic institutions offer, as they will help guide you in making tough choices about transitions.

Visit our website: https://facultyfactory.org/ 

On this week's Faculty Factory Podcast, we're featuring clips and snippets from some of the best leadership conversations we've had over the six-year lifespan of this show.  

This is the final part of a three-part best of the Faculty Factory series on leadership discussions. You can catch up on the first part here: https://facultyfactory.org/conversations-on-leadership/

And Part 2 of this leadership podcast series can be found here: https://facultyfactory.org/leadership-part-2/

As a friendly programming reminder, we will be back on January 3, 2025, with a brand-new episode of the Faculty Factory Podcast!  This week’s “Best of” show includes highlights, snippets and clips from the following episodes (appearing in order):

Kimberly A. Skarupski, PhD, MPH

Dr. Skarupski has hosted the Faculty Factory Podcast since its debut in 2019. She is a sociologist and gerontologist by training and has been practicing faculty development for nearly two decades.

Kathy Forbush MBA and MS

Kathy is the Executive Director for HR-Talent Management at Johns Hopkins University, and in this role is responsible for leading the talent acquisition, learning and organization development functions for the entire university. Kathy has spent over 20 years working in HR, Learning, and Organization Development roles with clients of various functional disciplines in diverse organizations and industries.

Farzana Hoque, MD, MRCP, FACP, FRCP

Dr. Hoque is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine and the Co-Director of the Medicine Acting Internship at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She also serves as the inaugural Medical Director of Bordley Tower at SSM Health, Saint Louis University Hospital, and she is President of the Society of Hospital Medicine’s St. Louis Chapter.

On this week's Faculty Factory Podcast, we're featuring clips and snippets from some of the best leadership conversations we've had over the six-year lifespan of this show.   

This is part two of a three-part best of the Faculty Factory series on leadership discussions. You can catch up on the first part here: https://facultyfactory.org/conversations-on-leadership/

As a friendly programming reminder, we will be back on January 3, 2025, with a brand-new episode of the Faculty Factory Podcast!  This week’s “Best of” show includes highlights, snippets and clips from the following episodes (appearing in order):

Jennifer Lee, MD

Dr. Lee serves as Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) and Pediatrics. She is also Associate Vice-Chair for Faculty Affairs and Development in ACCM with Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Maria Oliva-Hemker, MD

Dr. Oliva-Hemker currently serves as the Vice Dean for Faculty at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is the Stermer Family Professor of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Director of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Simply put, without Dr. Oliva-Hemker’s support this podcast wouldn’t be possible. We sincerely thank her for that continued support of our podcast, this companion website, and all its resources.

Kathy Forbush MBA and MS

Kathy is the Executive Director for HR-Talent Management at Johns Hopkins University, and in this role is responsible for leading the talent acquisition, learning and organization development functions for the entire university. Kathy has spent over 20 years working in HR, Learning, and Organization Development roles with clients of various functional disciplines in diverse organizations and industries.

Making an impressive debut on the Faculty Factory Podcast this week is John Paul Sánchez, MD, MPH, who shares his passion and joy for harnessing diversity while helping to carve a path forward for building successful generations of academic physicians for years to come.

Dr. Sánchez currently serves as the Dean of the Universidad Central Del Caribe (UCC) School of Medicine in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a position he has held since January 2024. Before joining UCC, he held positions as an educator and senior administrative leader at Health and Health Sciences of the University of New Mexico (UNM). 

Additionally, he is the co-founder of the Building the Next Generation of Academic Physicians initiative, which you can learn about here: https://bngap.org/. 

Throughout the interview, Dr. Sánchez highlights the unique blend of culture and bilingualism that characterizes medical education in Puerto Rico, equipping learners to better serve diverse patient populations.

Dr. Sánchez also addresses the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in academia, noting that many students lose interest in academic careers during medical school and residency. He stresses the importance of role models and creating supportive environments that reflect the diverse patient population they serve.  

Dr. Sánchez is also an author who has written two books, as discussed in today’s interview, those books include: 

More Faculty Factory Resources: https://facultyfactory.org/