Office of Faculty Affairs serves as important resource for professional growth and development

Attracting, developing and retaining the best and brightest individuals is a crucial part of UTMB’s Road Ahead vision. As UTMB continues to grow, its workforce also strives to grow professionally.

Dr. Anish Bhardwaj is leading this charge as associate dean for the new Office of Faculty Affairs, which was created less than a year ago.

“In alignment with UTMB’s vision, mission and values, the Office of Faculty Affairs is committed to supporting and mentoring our valuable and talented faculty,” said Bhardwaj. “We want to help our clinicians, educators, scholars and researchers grow and develop into future leaders.”

Bhardwaj joined UTMB in 2013 as chairman of the Department of Neurology. Previously, he served as the chairman of neurology at Tufts University School of Medicine, as well as neurologist-in-chief at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Since arriving in Galveston, Bhardwaj has played an instrumental role in developing the OFA’s website, which launched in June 2014.

“The concept of the OFA was developed to provide an easily accessible, central source for critical information pertaining to UTMB faculty,” says Bhardwaj. “I encourage all faculty to visit the website and take advantage of everything it has to offer.”

The OFA website features numerous sections, including:

Appointment, Promotion and Tenure
Benefits and Compensation
Event Calendar
Clinical Activities
Faculty Development
Mentoring
Organizations and Committees
Research and Grants
Residents and Fellows (GME)
UTMB Living, Communities and Schools

As associate dean, Bhardwaj has many responsibilities, including overseeing departmental reviews and the appointment, promotion and tenure process in UTMB’s School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Lisa Cain, Ph.D., serves as assistant dean for faculty affairs. She is the immediate past-president of the Faculty Senate and is an associate professor in UTMB’s Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology.

Together, Bhardwaj and Cain will act as liaisons to the Faculty Senate, which is comprised of 26 voting members representing the SOM, GSBS, School of Nursing and School of Health Professions. The Senate serves as the collective voice of the UTMB faculty and links faculty members and administration on matters that advance the academic life and welfare of the university.

Bhardwaj has several goals for the next year, including creating a “culture” of mentoring at UTMB by supporting both group and individual faculty development and mentoring programs by enhancing mentor-mentee relationships through workshops, seminars and visiting speakerships. The newly established Faculty Development Council will assist in this process.

Bhardwaj is a member of UTMB’s Academy of Research Mentors, which recently conducted a survey of more than 300 UTMB faculty. Results showed that they were interested in providing mentorship, further developing their own mentoring skills and gaining additional mentoring for themselves.

As someone who has an excellent track record in developing the next generation of researchers, he understands its importance.

“Over the past two decades, I have been privileged to train and mentor numerous faculty and over 45 clinical and research fellows who have gone on to have highly successful careers in their field,” said Bhardwaj. “The history of science and medicine is deeply embedded in learning from great teachers and mentors, and in-turn passing it along to their mentees. It is the cornerstone of academic medicine and scientific discovery.”

As Bhardwaj works with Cain to enhance mentoring opportunities and streamline existing resources available for faculty, he has several new ideas to promote and recognize faculty, as well. He is taking a lead in creating an Academy of Master Clinicians, which will complement the successful Academy of Master Teachers and Academy of Research Mentors organizations, and recognize the many important contributions of UTMB’s clinical faculty. He would also like to institute workshops for leadership development and succession planning at various levels among academic faculty.

Cain says she looks forward to working closely with Bhardwaj in the year ahead.

“The Office of Faculty Affairs is dedicated to assisting faculty members in the development of their careers. It is important that we continue to support our faculty who are investing their talents and expertise into UTMB.”

Contacts for Office of Faculty Affairs:

Lisa Cain, Ph.D.