Clinical Faculty Program

A team of OHSU doctors seeing a patient.

Appointment to the OHSU Department of Dermatology clinical (volunteer) faculty is an honor bestowed to acknowledge ongoing contributions to help the OHSU School of Medicine accomplish its mission. Clinical (volunteer) faculty members (also formerly referenced as Affiliate Faculty members) are individuals with faculty appointments who are not employed by OHSU. Appointment as a clinical (volunteer) member bestows both privileges and responsibilities, as outlined below. 

To be eligible for an active volunteer faculty appointment with OHSU Dermatology, a physician must:

  • have an unrestricted license to practice medicine in a state in the Northwest
  • be board certified by the American Board of Dermatology and/or American Board of Pathology
  • be engaged in full or part-time practice as a dermatologist or dermatopathologist in the community (or retired)
  • agree to further the mission of the Department of Dermatology by fulfilling the expectations outlined below. 

A minimum of eight (8) hours of active participation per academic year, averaged over two academic years, will be required for appointment/re-appointment. 

In addition to the eight hour requirement, clinical (volunteer) faculty members are expected to: 

  1. Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to lifelong learning in dermatology by meeting the continuing education standards set by the American Board of Dermatology or its equivalent. 
  2. Exhibit appropriate moral and ethical conduct at all times. 
  3. Complete tasks in a timely manner as assigned by the Department, such as resident evaluations, surveys, application for medical staff privileges (if appropriate), and administrative paperwork. 

Faculty appointments will be reviewed every year through a review of the didactics schedules, morphology schedules, and the mentoring system, and may be continued or terminated based on performance expectations. Please note: Attendance at ODS meetings does not count toward the above requirements. OHSU's academic year will be the beginning and end points for the program: July 1 –June 30. 

The following activities are available for clinical (volunteer) faculty members to support our educational mission. Any combination of activities may be used to add up to eight hours in an academic year. Preparation time has been taken into account and is included.  

  • Moderating morphology sessions (2 hour)
  • Leading an "unknown" and/or other educational session (2 hours)
  • Bringing a patient(s) to morphology sessions (1 hour)
  • Attending/staffing VA or Kaiser resident clinics (must be licensed, credentialed, and privileged) (4 hours)
  • Other clinical/research collaborations that support resident education and teaching residents (hour for hour)
  • Mentoring current residents through the mentoring program (hour for hour)

In return for fulfilling the activities of a clinical (volunteer) faculty member, you will receive the following benefits:

  1. The Department will keep each volunteer faculty member informed about current activities and events.
  2. The Department will provide opportunities to participate in continuing medical education, including weekly grand rounds, throughout the year.
  3. The Department will provide opportunities to mentor current residents in the dermatology residency program, and to help shape their development as practicing dermatologists. 

Education opportunities for clinical faculty:

Morphology conference moderator: Every Wednesday except ODS days from 7:30 am – 9:00 am
Lecture opportunities: Each Wednesday following morphology conference; Thursday or Friday morning lectures, 7:15 am - 8:15 am

Each year, the Faculty Development and Recruitment Committee, as appointed by the department chair, will review clinical (volunteer) participants for re-appointment. Dermatologists with OHSU Hospital privileges must maintain clinical (volunteer) faculty appointments.

Clinical faculty appointments will be ranked (and promoted) as follows:

  1. Clinical Instructor – Candidate has fulfilled the qualifications for certification by the American Board of Dermatology and has less than two years of teaching experience.
  2. Clinical Assistant Professor – Volunteer faculty member has actively participated and met the criteria for reappointment as an Clinical Instructor and has two or more years of training or experience on a medical school faculty (affiliate or full-time) or comparable teaching experience. Unusual circumstances could be taken into account such as: Fellowship training, scholarly achievement in the form of publications, or prominence in scientific societies or a physician who has not qualified for certification by the American Board of Dermatology or its equivalent due to circumstances unrelated to professional competence and experience.
  3. Clinical Associate Professor – Volunteer faculty member has actively participated and met the criteria for reappointment at the Assistant Clinical Professor level for five years. The individual has achieved stature among his or her peers through publications, teaching, or participation in dermatology organizations or a combination thereof.
  4. Clinical Professor – This rank is reserved for those who have achieved distinction in the field of dermatology, either on a state or national level. The individual has actively participated at the Associate Clinical Professor level for at least five years. Promotion to this rank, therefore, is made on the basis of major contributions and service over the years.