Mid-Career Professional Development Program

A new series of workshops targeting faculty at mid-career are set for winter and spring 2026.  These workshops address specific topics related to strategies for career growth and adapting to the mentoring needs of a new generation of trainees and peers.  Workshops are by invitation.  For more information, please contact Newton Cheung, Assistant Director of Programs.

2025-2026 Sessions

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm, by zoom
Sponsorship: Perspectives of Lessons Learned and Best Practices

Sponsorship is considered among the most impactful mechanism for career advancement.  While it is often understood in forms like nominations to opportunities; or giving access and introductions to networks and contacts,  sponsorship happens in everyday interactions with mentors, leaders and colleagues.  Yet, what institutional practices could be implemented to make sponsorship more accessible to all faculty?

This panel will offer a first-time discussion of sponsorship as a critical complement to mentorship for success.   Dr. Gordon Li, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Neurosurgery will moderate this panel comprised of: Miriam Goodman, PhD, Mrs. George A. Winzer Professor of Cell Biology and Chair of Molecular and Cellular Physiology; Mary Leonard, Arline and Pete Harman Professor of Pediatrics (Nephrology) and of Medicine and Chair of Department of Pediatrics, and Minjoung Go, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine.

Dr. Paul Wang, John R. and Al Giak L. Singleton Director and Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine) will introduce the evidence supporting the relevance of sponsorship as an institutional practice and will showcase pilots currently underway for a systematic approach to sponsorship at a department level.

Workshop organized by the Office of Academic Affairs.

Questions? Contact Newton Cheung, newton.cheung@stanford.edu, Assistant Director or Rania Sanford, rhegazi@stanford.edu, Associate Dean, Faculty Professional Development Group, OAA

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 4:30pm - 6:00pm, by zoom
Quality Improvement: Tips, Resources, and Strategies for Career Success and Promotion

Quality Improvement has increasingly become an opportunity for academic advancement in the School of Medicine as well as an essential element for excellence in care in medical centers.

This panel will discuss Quality Improvement opportunities across the Stanford SOM, SHC, SMCH, and Tri-Valley including available resources, programs, and training opportunities. Potential Quality Improvement topics and mentors as well as examples of academic career successes in Quality Improvement will be discussed. Questions will be solicited from attendees in advance and ample time will be dedicated to Q&A.

Workshop organized by the Office of Academic Affairs.

Questions? Contact Newton Cheung, newton.cheung@stanford.edu, Assistant Director or David Maahs, dmaahs@stanford.edu, Associate Dean, Faculty, OAA