Endowed chairs are among the highest honors conferred in academic medicine. In addition to recognizing the outstanding record of accomplishment of individual faculty, endowed chairs represent an investment in their continued success.
Recipients of endowed chairs are selected by the Dean, with consideration given to: the faculty member’s expertise and achievements, including actual or anticipated contributions to Icahn School of Medicine and the larger community; strategic needs of the institution; and specific conditions set forth by donors. New chair holders are installed each year at the School of Medicine's Convocation.
It is expected that chair holders will remain highly productive and will continue to further the School’s mission through meaningful educational, research, clinical care and service contributions. Chair holders are further expected to maintain at all times a high degree of professionalism and collegiality.
The School evaluates the performance of faculty holding endowed chairs to ensure, among other things, that resources are optimally allocated in support of the School’s mission. If an evaluation reveals that a faculty member’s performance falls short of departmental and institutional expectations, the individual will be given an opportunity to improve performance. In cases of underperformance, the Dean may convene a committee of endowed chairs and other senior faculty as appropriate to make a recommendation regarding continued appointment of the individual to their endowed chair. Based on this information, the Dean, in consultation with the relevant Chair and/or Director, may determine that an individual should no longer occupy the endowed chair.
The endowed chair may be removed at the Dean’s discretion without review if the chair holder:
- receives notice of non-reappointment to the full-time faculty;
- receives notice that their employment will be terminated;
- will be leaving the full time faculty;
- no longer holds an administrative or other position that is tied to the endowed chair;
- is no longer working in a field relevant to the endowed chair or otherwise does not meet the conditions of the endowed chair;
- receives a determination of material violation of Mount Sinai policies and/or practices from the Medical Board, Grievance Committee, Research Integrity Committee or other formal investigative body;
- is no longer considered a faculty member in good standing.
Updated September 2020