The phenotype of academic pathology chairs

The phenotype of pathology residency program directors

“…As compared to academic pathology chairs, 10 only a minority of PDs were MD/PhDs, at 15%, which likely suggests a clinical/education focus rather than a research focus. The majority of PDs and APDs were more junior in years in practice and by academic rank with a total of 57% being in practice <10 years, with 33% being in practice <5 years.…”

“…Additionally, information from a recent survey of chairs demonstrates that 44% of female and 22% of male academic pathology chairs had served as a residency PD, suggesting that service as a PD may be part of a trajectory toward ascending levels of leadership. 10 The majority had not served as a fellowship director, which is likely a function of being selected <5 years into their careers, and the prohibition of allowing one individual to serve concurrently as both residency and fellowship PD at many institutions.…”

“…Female chairs tend to have been in practice longer at their first chair appointment than their male counterparts. 10 …”

“… 8 , 9 This is in contrast to a recent study of academic pathology chairs, where women appeared to have needed more years of experience, and greater academic credentials to be considered. 10 Additionally, in plastic surgery, female chairs had significantly more publications (128) versus their male counterparts (averaging 72 publications). This disparity did not seem to hold true at the PD level, however, and overall qualifications were roughly equivalent.…”

“… 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 Encouragingly, more female pathology chairs had served as PDs than their male counterparts (44% vs 22%), which suggests pathology program directorship might be a career pathway toward ascending leadership roles such as department chair. 10 This study queries the background, credentials, and career goals of PDs and APDs with the intention to highlight possible pathways to pathology graduate medical education leadership and to provide a look at the diversity already represented in these roles. Another goal was to look at possible differences in responses between male and female PDs.…”