Provost celebrated with WSI Advancement of Women Award

Role model, insightful, encourager, committed: words of praise used multiple times to describe MUSC Interim Provost Lisa Saladin, Ph.D., PT, who was recently named the 2016 Women Scholars Initiative Advancement of Women Award recipient.

The WSI is focused on the advancement of women faculty across all missions and colleges of MUSC. Throughout the year, it offers numerous programs, workshops, mentoring sessions and a newsletter to support the career development of women faculty. It also presents three prestigious awards each year.

According to Lynne Nemeth, a professor in the College of Nursing who co-chairs the WSI awards selection committee, the recipient of the Advancement of Women Award must excel in three main areas: demonstrating personal commitment to the advancement and promotion of women faculty at MUSC, actively mentoring women faculty and encouraging and supporting their advancement, and serving as a role model for others. Saladin’s star shines brightly in all three areas.

Mentoring faculty has been a cornerstone of her career. Prior to being named interim provost in July 2016, Saladin served as the dean of the College of Health Professions for the preceding five years. She understands and appreciates the importance of initiatives like MUSC’s WSI. In her acceptance speech at the January 17 event, she said, “I can’t thank you enough for this honor. Mentorship is something that I value personally, and I am extremely grateful to the women and the men who have mentored me throughout my career.”

She continued, “Mentorship helps us improve and allows us to see ourselves from another’s perspective.”

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, a lack of good mentoring has hindered women from achieving tenure status or leadership roles at the same rate as their male counterparts.

While the development and mentoring of female faculty is a priority at MUSC, across the nation, growth has been slower. According to the report Gender Differences at Critical Transitions in the Careers of Science, Engineering and Mathematics Faculty, published by the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, women are not applying for tenure-track jobs at research-intensive universities at the same rate that they are earning Ph.D.s.  The report determined that women who had a mentor did better in this regard than women without one.

Mentoring, research suggests, is one of the most effective ways for one generation of women in science and medicine to impart their knowledge to succeeding generations, and having a mentor is not only an important factor in successful career advancement, conversely, a lack of mentorship can be a factor in a career not being fully realized.

A mentor takes an active role in nurturing an up-and-coming scientist or clinician’s professional development and provides support, guidance and feedback. Having a sincere interest in a protege’s growth and development and the willingness to commit time and emotion to the relationship are equally important — all things Saladin excels at, according to some of her mentees.

“She encourages, promotes, and assists women and other faculty to achieve their full potential. As I reflect on my own professional career, I am able to see a leader that I can strive to become through her mentorship, encouragement and example,” said Gretchen Seif, associate professor in the Division of Physical Therapy in the College of Health Professions.

These sentiments seemed to sum up how many felt about her.

Nancy Carson, Ph.D., PT, associate dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs in the College of Health Professions, echoed Seif’s comments. “Over the years, Dr. Saladin has had the opportunity to promote women faculty in many ways,” Carson said. “She has consistently demonstrated a personal commitment to the advancement and promotion of women faculty at MUSC. She is very mindful of the representation of women in leadership roles in the college and university and encourages women to pursue opportunities to gain skills to advance their careers. She represents a strong female leader and encourages other women to be strong leaders.”

In the College of Health Professions, 50 percent of leadership positions are occupied by women. Saladin created a position, assistant dean for mentorship and career development, to ensure all faculty have a career plan and appropriate mentorship to achieve their goals. Actions speak louder than words, as the adage goes, and her leadership and dedication to their progress and promotion were not lost on her faculty.

Angela Mund, DNP, president of the MUSC faculty senate and associate professor in the Division of Anesthesia for Nurses, wrote in support of Saladin’s nomination. “Dr. Saladin serves as a role model by her ability to engage in thoughtful discussion, provide professional encouragement and create an environment where all women faculty are recognized for the value they bring to the College of Health Professions and the university. Dr. Saladin is a role model for open and effective communication.  She has created an atmosphere where women faculty are welcome to share ideas on how we can build on our own strengths and work on our weaknesses. Dr. Saladin encourages and supports faculty to come to their own solutions to issues without telling you how to do something, which allows for development of problem-solving skills.”

Saladin thanked the WSI for its leadership in furthering the development of women in science and careers in medicine at MUSC. She stressed to guests gathered at the event just how important it is to become a mentor. “I echo it back to all of you. Friends, colleagues — that’s what we’re all about — creating a sense of family here at MUSC. It’s what makes us want to come to work here. I can’t thank you enough, and I encourage each of you to assume the mantle of mentorship and pass it down. This is something we all have to take on as a personal responsibility.”