Surgery hosts Bi-Annual New and Junior Faculty Retreat
October 1, 2025
"When you become faculty, you have more flexibility, you have more choice, and that means employing strategy," said Assistant Professor Dr. Cliff Sheckter. "You have to be intentional. Make a plan."
The Department of Surgery's bi-annual New and Junior Faculty Retreat, held Sept. 19 and organized by Vice Chair of Professional Development Peter Lorenz and Associate Vice Chair of Professional Development Dr. Stephanie Chao, equipped new Stanford Surgeons the tools and information to craft their individual roadmaps for success.
"We covered a variety of topics," said Chao. "Dr. [Mary] Hawn presented on how departmental finances flow—a session that has proven invaluable even for senior faculty, and we also covered keys to promotion and success at Stanford."
During a panel on "Funding Your Academic Mission" hosted by the Vice Chairs of Research, Dr. Olivia Martinez said, "All of the opportunities can be overwhelming. People dive into everything and then are spread so thin, they can't gain traction." Something Dr. Joe Forrester experienced firsthand.
"My first year as faculty, I said 'yes' to too many societies, but after a year, I realized I couldn't contribute as much as I wanted to each of them and had to cut back," said Forrester.
Instead, she recommends "digging in and gaining prominence" in one or two areas. Dr. George Poultsides mirrored the suggestion adding, "This is important for national prominence, which is important when it comes to promotion."
Support for new faculty doesn't end after the retreat, Chao and Lorenz will meet with all faculty after the retreat to counsel and discuss their needs.
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About Stanford Surgery
The Stanford University Department of Surgery is dedicated to inventing the future of surgical care through:
• pioneering cutting-edge research,
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• healing through incomparable surgical skills and compassion.
To learn more, please visit surgery.stanford.edu
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