Faculty ASCEND Program
Faculty ASCEND Program
Academic Scholarship, Career, Education, and Leadership Development
Helping faculty ascend as clinicians, educators, investigators, and leaders.
Our Department is committed to investing in the growth and success of our faculty. Through the ASCEND Program, we provide financial support for select advanced degrees, professional certifications, and leadership development programs that strengthen individual careers while advancing our collective missions of clinical care, education, research, innovation, quality, and leadership.
ASCEND is designed to help faculty acquire tangible qualifications that expand expertise, create new capabilities within the Department, and prepare the next generation of leaders in anesthesiology, perioperative medicine, and pain medicine.
Eligible Opportunities
Departmental support is available for programs that culminate in a recognized degree, certification, credential, or leadership designation.
- Advanced Degrees: MBA, MPH, MSCI, MEd, MHA, and other mission-aligned graduate programs
- Professional Certifications: Perioperative transesophageal echocardiography, quality and safety, simulation education, healthcare financial management, and other clinically relevant certifications
- Leadership Development: University leadership academies, health system and national specialty society programs, executive education certificates, and select executive coaching engagements
- Innovation, Research & Academic Certificates: Clinical research methodology, implementation science, AI and digital health, innovation and entrepreneurship, and medical education programs
Testimonials
Coming soon!
How to Apply
Faculty interested in pursuing an ASCEND opportunity submit a brief proposal outlining the program, anticipated costs, and how the opportunity aligns with their goals and the department's missions. Applications are reviewed by department leadership on a rolling basis.
Step 1 — Submit a Proposal
Complete a brief online application including:
- Program name, sponsoring organization, and credential awarded
- Total cost and requested departmental support
- Anticipated timeline for completion
- Departmental mission area(s) advanced: Clinical Care, Education, Research, Quality & Safety, Innovation, or Leadership
Step 2 — Describe Your Strategic Impact
Respond to the following questions:
- How does this opportunity align with your professional development goals?
- How will completing this program strengthen the department's missions or strategic priorities?
- What new capability, expertise, or leadership capacity will this create for the department?
- How do you plan to apply or share what you learn?
- What measurable outcomes do you anticipate within 1–3 years?
Step 3 — Review & Decision
Applications are reviewed by department leadership based on strategic alignment, expected impact, resource availability, operational feasibility, and equity of departmental investment.