Engaging faculty to develop their teaching, discovery, service, leadership and advancement at every career stage.

The career of a faculty member evolves. Whether teaching in the classroom, clinic or online, conducting bench, clinical or educational research, the Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development (OFAFD) is here to help faculty cultivate their skills across every facet of professional life. Our programs and initiatives include development opportunities in teaching, research, professionalism and wellness, with individualized support available to all School of Medicine faculty.

All programming, events and curricula center around five domains, each of which is grounded in action-focused competencies that align with career progression within a focus of work.

Learn more about our domains and upcoming professional development activities within each one that will help move faculty toward excellence.

Explore the five domains

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development offers a range of workshops and seminars that have significantly contributed to my growth in both soft skills and organizational abilities. Among the various workshops I've participated in, I've found the strengths assessment and leadership development sessions to be particularly valuable.

A more recent workshop I attended, titled "Goal Setting and Habit Formation Strategies for Faculty," was surprisingly beneficial. This session equipped me with a concrete, written plan for establishing a daily writing habit, and I emerged from it feeling empowered and motivated.

Geetanjali Bendale

Ph.D., Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Faculty Development Topics

Popular topics frequently requested are listed below. Resources are available for teaching these topics. Please reach out to a faculty development team member for assistance creating a session for your area. 

Teaching and Learning

  • Adult Learning Theory
  • Learner Engagement
  • Curriculum Design
  • Backward Design
  • Writing Learning Objectives
  • Writing Test Question 
  • Collaborative Learning (TBL, Pogil, PBL)
  • Strategies to Maximize Student Learning
    • BHS Topics
    • Effective and Harmonious Labs
    • Effective Mentoring
    • Clinical Teaching Topics
    • Feedback
    • Teaching on the Fly

Scholarship

  • Presentation design
  • Scholarship development
  • Peer Review
  • Abstract Writing
  • Scientific Storytelling
  • Copyright/IP
  • Grant Application Process

Leadership Development

  • Coaching
  • Team Building
  • Strategic Planning
  • Goal Setting
  • Clifton Strengths

Career Success

  • Clifton Strengths
  • Navigating Promotion and Tenure
  • Writing a Personal Narrative
  • Writing a Biosketch
  • Values Clarification
  • Goal Setting
  • Personal Learning Networks
  • Social Media and Professionalism
  • Artificial Intelligence in MedEd
  • Work/Life Integration for Trainees and You

Programs

The OFAFD offers multi-part career development programs, which involve both in-person and virtual sessions, throughout the academic year. These opportunities allow faculty to focus on specific areas of growth, reflect on strengths and goals and connect with colleagues across the School of Medicine. New and innovative programs are in the works, so be sure to refer back to this page often.

External programs

Graduate Certificate in Medical Education

A joint collaboration with the VCU School of Education, this 12-credit graduate certificate is designed for faculty who are teaching in the health care professions. Four courses are required to receive the certificate, with topics including curriculum design, theory and practice of adult learning, instructional strategies and teaching as scholarship. Admission is rolling each semester.

Graduates of this certificate program may also join the health science education cohort if they choose to pursue the M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership.

Learn more and apply to the program

One-on-one Consultations

The faculty development team is available for one-on-one teaching and research consultations focusing on ideation through evaluation. From writing learning objectives and integrating teaching innovations to applying for grants, and preparing for promotion and tenure, the team is available to provide flexible, professional and personal support as needed.

Contact Jean Bailey, Kenneth Warren Foster, or Stacey Wahl for a Zoom or in-office meeting.

Events

Our Team

Jean Bailey, Ph.D.

Jean Bailey, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Faculty Development

Jean Bailey, Ph.D.

Jean Bailey, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Faculty Development

Office of Faculty Affairs

Phone: 804-828-3134

Fax: 804-828-4048

Email: jean.bailey@vcuhealth.org

Address/Location:
MMEC, Room 4-203

Portfolio

Kenneth Warren Foster, Ed.D.

Kenneth Warren Foster, Ed.D.

Senior Instructional Technologist

Kenneth Warren Foster, Ed.D.

Kenneth Warren Foster, Ed.D.

Senior Instructional Technologist

Office of Faculty Affairs

Phone: 804-828-3848

Fax: 804-828-4048

Email: kenneth.warren@vcuhealth.org

Address/Location:
MMEC, Room 7-306A

Portfolio

Stacey Wahl, Ph.D.

Stacey Wahl, Ph.D.

Senior Instructional Designer

Stacey Wahl, Ph.D.

Stacey Wahl, Ph.D.

Senior Instructional Designer

Office of Faculty Affairs

Phone: 804-828-9823

Email: stacey.wahl@vcuhealth.org

Address/Location:
1201 E Marshall St
Room 8-306B

Portfolio

Jody Hedstrom, B.A.

Jody Hedstrom, B.A.

Faculty Affairs and Development Coordinator

Jody Hedstrom, B.A.

Jody Hedstrom, B.A.

Faculty Affairs and Development Coordinator

Office of Faculty Affairs

Phone: 804-828-6591

Fax: 804-828-4048

Email: jody.hedstrom@vcuhealth.org

Address/Location:
MMEC, Room 8-306

Kathleen O’Kane Kreutzer, M.Ed.

Kathleen O’Kane Kreutzer, M.Ed.

Director, Special Projects

Kathleen O’Kane Kreutzer, M.Ed.

Kathleen O’Kane Kreutzer, M.Ed.

Director, Special Projects

Office of Faculty Development

Portfolio

Andrea "Andi" Cassel, B.A.

Andrea "Andi" Cassel, B.A.

Portfolio Assistant

Andrea "Andi" Cassel, B.A.

Andrea "Andi" Cassel, B.A.

Portfolio Assistant

Office of Faculty Affairs

Phone: 804-628-2353

Fax: 804-628-9978

Email: andrea.cassel@vcuhealth.org

Address/Location:
MMEC, Room 4-202

Portfolio

Brian Cassel, Ph.D.

Brian Cassel, Ph.D.

Medical Education Faculty Fellow (MEFF)

Brian Cassel, Ph.D.

Brian Cassel, Ph.D.

Medical Education Faculty Fellow (MEFF)

Office of Faculty Affairs

Email: brian.cassel@vcuhealth.org

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Elizabeth "Betsy" Ripley, M.D.

Elizabeth "Betsy" Ripley, M.D.

Executive Director for Faculty Coaching and Leadership Training, Senior Advisor for Faculty Development

Elizabeth "Betsy" Ripley, M.D.

Elizabeth "Betsy" Ripley, M.D.

Executive Director for Faculty Coaching and Leadership Training, Senior Advisor for Faculty Development

Faculty Affairs

Phone: 804-628-9613

Email: elizabeth.ripley@vcuhealth.org

Address/Location:
Sanger Hall, 1101 E Marshall St., 1-1010A

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