“Pathways to academic leadership in plastic surgery – a nationwide survey of program directors, division chiefs, and department chairs of plastic surgery”

Background: While plastic surgeons and plastic surgery residents aspire to leadership in academic plastic surgery, there is no well-established pathway. Methods: Plastic surgery residencies and program directors(PDs) were obtained from the AMA's FREIDA database. The division chief or department chair (academic head) of every academic plastic surgery program was identified. One internet-based survey was distributed to academic heads, another to PDs. Results: 90 academic heads were identified, 35 of whom also serve as PD. 67 unique PDs were identified. There was a 51% academic head response rate and a 65% PD response rate. Academic plastic surgery is overwhelmingly administered by mid-career males. The average PD was appointed at age 45 and has served for 7 years. S/he was trained via the independent track, completed additional training in hand surgery, and is a full professor. S/he publishes 2-3 peer reviewed manuscripts per year and spends 9 hours-per-week in administration. The average academic head was appointed at age 45 and has held his/her position for 12 years. S/he was trained in the independent model, completed fellowship training, and is a full professor. S/he publishes 5 peer reviewed manuscripts per year and spends 12 hours-per-week involved in administration. Conclusion: PDs and academic heads serve non-overlapping roles. Few PDs will advance to the role of academic head. Successful applicants to the PD position often serve as an associate program director and are seen as motivated resident educators. In contrast, those faculty members selected for the academic head role are academically accomplished administrators with business acumen. Financial Disclosure Statement: Drs. Fishman, Pang, and Nguyen have nothing to disclose. Dr. Losee receives book royalties from CRC press and Elsevier. Dr. Rubin receives book royalties from Elsevier, consulting fees from a medical device company, and has ownership interest in a number of plastic surgery related ventures. No funding was received for this article. Corresponding Author: Vu T. Nguyen MD1, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Plastic Surgery, 3550 Terrace Street, 6B – Sciafe Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, fishmanje@upmc.edu ©2018American Society of Plastic Surgeons

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