2.3. Harvard Faculty of Medicine Governance

The Faculty of Medicine includes more than 12,000 individuals working to advance the boundaries of knowledge in labs, classrooms and healthcare institutions. The school’s main quadrangle in Boston houses classrooms where medical, dental, and graduate students begin their training as well as the laboratories of tenured and tenure-track faculty members of the Blavatnik Institute Basic and Social Science departments, referred to as the “preclinical” or “Quad” departments, as below. The sole exception is Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, a joint department of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences that is based both on the Cambridge campus and the Longwood campuses.

• Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
• Biomedical Informatics
• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• Global Health and Social Medicine
• Health Care Policy
• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Neurobiology
• Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
• Systems Biology

Teaching and research extend beyond the Blavatnik Institute Basic and Social Science departments. Harvard Medical School has affiliation agreements with 15 of the world’s most prestigious hospitals and research institutes, vital partners that provide clinical care and training. They also serve as home base for almost 12,000 physicians and scientists with faculty appointments. HMS Departments (also referred to as “appointing departments”) serve as the primary administrative units of the academic community and infrastructure at Harvard Medical School (HMS). These HMS Departments are vested with authority for proposing faculty and other academic appointments and serve as the academic homes for over 25,000 faculty, students, trainees, and other academic appointees in the Harvard Faculty of Medicine.

Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) has core strength in musculoskeletal disease research and offers students public health opportunities in local communities and across the globe. HSDM is the only school at Harvard that offers direct patient care, with the Harvard Dental Center welcoming more than 50,000 patients for over 35,000 dental visits every year. In a unique educational model, HSDM students study clinical medicine with Harvard medical students and then pursue additional years of intensive, interdisciplinary clinical science education at HSDM and affiliated sites. HSDM alumni are making their mark in prevention, discovery, and practice as they work to improve the health and well-being of local and global populations.

The Faculty of Medicine participate in diverse areas of teaching, research, clinical care, and academic administration. Subject to the overall governance of the University, compliance with academic policies, and delivering the required courses of study are the responsibility of the Faculty of Medicine. Voting members of the Faculty of Medicine, which includes Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Professors of the Practice, Professors in Residence, Professors of Clinical X, 3-year Senior Lecturers, and 3-year Lecturers, are expected to attend scheduled faculty meetings if possible and to participate in the selection of members of the Faculty Council. Members of the faculty participate in faculty meetings and serve on school-wide standing committees and additional committees formed for faculty searches and reviews or special assignments. From time to time, members of the faculty may also be asked to serve on University committees. Two meetings of the voting faculty take place each year, one of which involves the granting of degrees at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and both of which include the recognition of newly promoted professors.

The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine is appointed by the President, subject to the consent of the Joint Committee on Appointments and serves at the discretion of the President. The Dean is responsible to the President for the overall operations of the Faculty of Medicine at both Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and their academic programs. The Dean is charged with the overall management of the Medical School, including appointments of administrative staff as deemed necessary for achieving the mission of the School.

The Dean, with the guidance of the Committee on Promotions, Reappointments and Appointments, recommends to the President and Provost faculty appointments to the ranks of Associate Professor and below. With the guidance of the Subcommittee of Professors, the Dean recommends to the President and Provost faculty appointments to the rank of Professor. With the guidance of the Professor of Clinical X Committee, the Dean recommends to the President and Provost faculty appointments to the rank of Professor of Clinical X.

With the input of leadership at the affiliated institutions, the Dean appoints the chairs of the various affiliate-based academic departments of the Medical School. The Dean also appoints the chair of each HMS department and with the advice of the Dean of the Dental School, appoints the chairs of the various academic departments of the School of Dental Medicine. All department chairs report to and serve at the discretion of the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in their academic leadership capacities.

The Dean may appoint one or more Deans, Associate Deans, and Assistant Deans as deemed necessary, appropriate to carry out the mission and operations of the Faculty of Medicine, and in alignment with hiring policies and best search practices for recruitment; these Deans report to and serve at the discretion of the Dean.

The Dean has primary oversight over the following areas, within the overall governance framework of the University, and which one or more Deans, Associate Deans, or Assistant Deans may be appointed from time to time to direct:

• Education and Students: The administration of all aspects of the academic programs of the Faculty of Medicine and the direction of the programs and activities of the Faculty of Medicine that assure compliance with the curriculum adopted by the Faculty from time to time and the requirements of accrediting and regulatory agencies
• Faculty: The administration of policies affecting the faculty and their appointments and the promotion of the professional development of the faculty
• Research: The administration of the Faculty of Medicine’s research program and the direction of the programs and activities that assure compliance with School, University, and applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements regarding research
• Finance and Administration: The direction of all matters relating to the finance and budget of the School of Medicine, the management of its human resources, and the supplying and operation of its facilities

The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine has overall responsibility for ensuring that the mission of the Faculty of Medicine and the values of integrity, diversity, and professionalism are reflected in all aspects of operations and activities.

The Dean of the School of Dental Medicine is appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and subject to the approval of the Joint Committee on Appointments. The Dean of the School of Dental Medicine is responsible to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for overall management of the School of Dental Medicine and its academic programs, including appointments of administrative staff as deemed necessary to the operation of the School of Dental Medicine. Faculty within the School of Dental Medicine are members of the Faculty of Medicine and are subject to the policies and requirements of the Faculty of Medicine.

Senior administrative leaders (SAL) are designated by Liaison to the Council of Medical Education (LCME) accreditation purposes as faculty leaders and administrative officers to oversee the administration of HMS’s educational programs, affiliate-based academic departments, and major administrative offices. They are defined as individuals who are hired by HMS (or appointed to their role), have a decanal, chair, or chief officer title, and/or sit on the Dean’s Leadership Council. SAL are expected to steward their programs, departments, or offices with the utmost commitment to professionalism, excellence, and diversity, inclusion, and belonging, to ensure the ongoing health and success of the institution.

Given the importance, level of responsibility, and visibility of these roles, the school gives special consideration to the creation and dissolution of SAL positions by assessing their criticality to the school’s strategy, academic and administrative operations, resource management, and/or risk mitigation. Search processes are undergirded by search best practices used by the Faculty of Medicine and alignment with HMS’ mission and the School’s diversity statement, and critical input on final candidates from the Dean.

Additionally, recruitment of SAL must align with the principle that inclusive excellence entails consideration of the broadest possible pool of qualified candidates during the search and hiring process and that diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences is essential to HMS’ mission, as well as being in line with the School’s diversity statement. In accordance with all applicable laws, HMS SAL search and hiring processes also must comply with all affirmative action requirements, provide equal opportunities for all applicants, and align with Harvard’s non-discrimination policy.

The Faculty Council is a representative organization consisting of elected members of the voting faculty who serve three-year terms. The electoral structure is designed to assure proportional representation across disciplines and institutions. The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine attends the monthly meetings of the Council. A Vice-Chair and Chair are elected by the members of the Council. The position is a two-year term with the first year of service as Vice Chair and the second as Chair. The Chair also serves as the Chair of the Council Docket Committee. This subcommittee of the Faculty Council, which develops and oversees the Council’s docket, is appointed by the Chair following the annual election. The Vice Chair is a member of the Council Docket Committee and oversees the review of all nominations for service on the school’s Standing Committees. The Vice Chair acts as Chair in the Chair’s absence.

The Faculty Council advises the Dean in the formulation of major changes to policy for the Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine. Members of the faculty may propose amendments to the bylaws and/or recommend changes to policies through any Faculty Council representative. The Council submits recommendations for consideration to the Dean on major policy issues. The Faculty Council also receives reports from standing and administrative committees of the Faculty of Medicine, and other ad hoc committees of the Dean. The Dean provides periodic reports concerning the financial status of the Schools and other relevant topics. The Faculty Council has the authority to establish, empower, and/or disband standing committees of the faculty. The Faculty Council, guided by its Docket Committee, oversees standing committees of the faculty and votes to approve candidates for those committees in consultation with appropriate leadership. The process for populating each standing committee is approved by the Faculty Council as part of establishing the standing committee.

The Council of Academic Deans for the Faculty of Medicine consists of Academic Deans from among the largest affiliated institutions, appointed jointly by the Dean and the head of the affiliated institution. The Dean chairs the monthly meetings, and the Dean for Clinical and Academic Affairs and the Dean for Faculty Affairs serve as ex officio members. The Council of Academic Deans presents and makes recommendations to the Dean on candidates for possible appointment to the professorial rank and on search requests at the professorial level in the affiliate-based academic departments. The Council also advises the Dean on policies as they relate to faculty at the affiliated institutions.

Harvard Medical School Clinical Academic Departments, based at the affiliated institutions, have Executive Committees (ECs) composed of affiliate-based academic department heads in the corresponding field.  Some ECs have additional at-large voting members intended to enhance the group’s breadth of expertise and perspective.  These committees play an essential role in the appointment and promotion process in addition to addressing issues relevant to their clinical specialty across HMS and the wider community.

The Dean meets periodically with all the chairs of the HMS Clinical Academic Departments’ executive committees (Executive Committee Chairs’ Committee) to review pending policies and other matters of current interest and to solicit their comments and advice. The Dean appoints chairs of executive committees; chairs of executive committees must be Professors, and they serve two-year terms at the behest of the Dean.

The Council of Preclinical Chairs is composed of the academic Department Heads of the Basic and Social Science departments. The Council is chaired by the Dean, administered by one of the Department Heads in rotation, and meets regularly. The Council of Preclinical Chairs presents and makes recommendations to the Dean on candidates for possible appointment to the Professorial rank and on search requests at the Professorial level in the basic science departments. Additionally, the Dean reviews pending policies and other matters of current interest with Council members and solicits their comments and advice. A subgroup, the Social Science Council, meets with the Dean on an ad hoc basis to present and make recommendations to the Dean on candidates in the social science departments for possible appointment to the Professorial rank and on search requests at the Professorial level.

The Faculty of Medicine has established various standing and administrative committees. The primary purpose of standing committees is to consider and recommend actions and propose policies in the functional areas under their jurisdictions, subject to final approval by the Faculty Council and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. Standing committees are established and/or disbanded by the Faculty Council. The Faculty Council will also review and approve any substantial change in the charge of a standing committee. A quorum for voting purposes is considered a simple majority of committee members. The Standing Committees of the Faculty of Medicine are:

• Admission of Students
• Conflicts of Interest and Commitment (COI)
• Educational Policy and Curriculum (EPCC)
• Faculty Conduct
• Faculty Council
• Learning Environment Committee (LEC)
• Longer Service Promotions Committee
• Medical Student Promotion & Review Board (PRB)
• Professor of Clinical X Committee (PCX)
• Promotions, Reappointments and Appointments (P&R) Committee
• Rights and Responsibilities Committee (SCRR)

Ordinarily, only Professors can serve as voting members of promotion committees. The votes of these Committees are advisory to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, who ultimately makes a recommendation to the President and Provost regarding appointments.

Administrative committees oversee vital programs and policies of the Faculty of Medicine. Their charges and selection processes must adhere to HMS policies, guidelines, and professional standards.

Ad hoc and/or advisory committees are convened as required by duly approved policies of the Faculty of Medicine, or as the Dean and/or the Faculty Council requires, for advice on matters related to the operation of the Faculty of Medicine and the activities of its faculty, staff, and students. As applicable, and in accordance with the relevant policy and requests, such committees report recommendations to the Dean and/or the Faculty Council.

See:

• A complete list of HMS/HSDM Faculty Leadership, Standing and Administrative Committees and current membership

The Dean, with the review and advice of the Faculty Council, from time to time promulgates and implements policies and procedures concerning the various operations of the Faculty of Medicine and the activities of its faculty, staff, and students to assure that those operations and activities are carried out in an orderly fashion, in accordance with the policies of the University and the requirements of applicable laws and regulations and of applicable accrediting bodies.

The Office of the Dean is responsible for assuring that Faculty of Medicine policies are widely available to members of the community. In doing so, the Office may disseminate such policies and procedures via email and web posting for broadest access. All members of the community are expected to check electronic communications regularly and to familiarize themselves with policies and procedures and amendments to them. The Office of the Dean is responsible for assuring the implementation and, as necessary, the enforcement of such policies and procedures.

The Faculty of Medicine offers educational programs leading to the MD degree, the MMSc degree, the Master of Science degree, and the PhD degree, and, at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, the DMD, MMSc, DMSc, and PhD in Biological Sciences in Dental Medicine degrees. There are also programs leading to joint degrees with other Harvard schools.

The Program in Medical Education (PME) at Harvard Medical School is the organizational structure housing the educational programs leading to the MD degree. Under the direction of the Dean for Medical Education, the PME is responsible for all aspects of the educational plan and for the development and review of curricular and educational programs leading to the MD degree. The PME is composed of the following offices: five Academic Societies, Admissions, Anatomical Gift Program, Office of the Dean of Medical Education, Disability Services, Finance and Administration, Financial Aid, Health Sciences & Technology, Learning Resources & Support, MD-PhD program, Office of Medical Education, Recruitment & Multicultural Affairs, Registrar’s Office, Scholarly Engagement, and Student Affairs.

The Office for Graduate Education (OGE) at Harvard Medical School is directed by the Dean for Graduate Education and oversees life sciences PhD programs and HMS masters’ degree programs. All PhD programs are administered in cooperation with Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, which oversees PhD programs across the University and grants the PhD degree. The OGE manages the six HMS-based Division of Medical Sciences (DMS) PhD programs (Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Neuroscience, Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Virology; and the PhD programs jointly sponsored by HMS and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (Biophysics, Chemical Biology, and Systems Biology). The OGE is also the administrative home for Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS), the affiliation of all Harvard University PhD programs in the Life Sciences. The OGE works with the PME and the MD-PhD office to direct the MD-PhD program.

The OGE manages the academic and administrative oversight of the HMS Master of Science (Bioethics; Media, Medicine and Health; Healthcare Quality and Safety; Clinical Service Operations) and Master of Medical Sciences (Biomedical Informatics; Clinical Investigation; Global Health Delivery; Immunology; Medical Education) programs. The OGE also manages the HMS Curriculum Fellows Program, Summer research programs for undergraduates, and Professional Development programs for master’s and PhD students.

The Office for Dental Education at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine is the organizational structure housing the educational programs leading to the DMD, MMSc, DMSc, and PhD in Biological Sciences in Dental Medicine degrees. Under the direction of the Dean for Dental Education, the Office for Dental Education is responsible for all aspects of the educational plan and for the development and review of educational programs.

The Harvard Medical School/Harvard School of Dental Medicine Student Council is an elected body that serves as the student government for both Schools. In addition to the Student Council, a large number of Council- approved student groups have been constituted and receive funding from monies allocated for this purpose from a central Student Council budget. The Council has developed guidelines and regulations to which its members and affiliated groups are expected to adhere. The Office of Student Affairs provides direct administrative and organizational support to the Council and to student organizations and is a liaison between these groups and the Schools and the University.

The Biomedical Graduate Student Organization (BGSO) includes several hundred PhD students enrolled in HMS- based graduate programs affiliated with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). The goal of the BGSO is to foster communication between the student body and the academic administrations. Additionally, the BGSO distributes Division of Medical Sciences (DMS) funding to student groups that organize social or academic activities open to all DMS students.