New York Medical College School of Medicine

New York Medical College School of Medicine Tenure, Appointments and Promotions Committee 40 Sunshine Cottage Valhalla, New York 10595 Michal Laniado Schwartzman, Ph.D.

CONFIDENTIAL

[name, degree, rank, address] Re: [candidate name]

Dear Dr. [referee name]:

Dr. [candidate name] is being considered for a [appointment or promotion] to the rank of [Associate Professor or Professor] of [Department] [w or w/o tenure] on the Investigator Track at New York Medical College- School of Medicine. As Chairman of the Tenure, Appointments and Promotions Committee, I am writing to solicit your assistance in an evaluation of Dr. [candidate name].

At New York Medical College- School of Medicine, the rank of [Associate Professor or Professor] on the Investigator Track is granted to individuals who have attained an international reputation as an established investigator and who have continued to demonstrate high quality research productivity as a principal or senior investigator since promotion to the rank of [Associate Professor or Professor]. We also expect a candidate to show a continuing record of high quality teaching, and significant continuing service contributions to the College and/or the affiliated hospitals. Additional activities that should contribute to positive consideration include membership in bodies of academic importance such as NIH study sections and review committees, executive positions in specialty research societies, membership on editorial boards of major research journals, and consultation roles with other academic institutions. In addition, we seek an assessment by recognized leaders in the candidate’s field of scientific interest corroborating the candidate’s international stature in the field.

We would greatly appreciate your analysis of Dr. [candidate name], including: 1) the most significant contributions that Dr. [candidate name] has made in the general area of research; 2) the impact of these contributions on other developments in Dr. [candidate name]’s area of scholarly endeavor; 3) the standing of Dr. [candidate name]’s research relative to contemporaries; and 4) the prospect for continued scholarly productivity.

With reference to the criterion of an international reputation, it would be particularly helpful if you are able to comment on Dr. [candidate name]’s contributions to and participation in professional organizations, peer-review committees, consultation roles, etc.

Finally, I would appreciate your comment as to whether or not, on the basis of the criterion stated above, Dr. [candidate name] merits the rank of [Associate Professor or Professor] at New York Medical College- School of Medicine. A copy of Dr. [candidate name]’s curriculum vitae is enclosed for your review. Also enclosed are documents of the TAP policies and procedures to assist with your review including table of comparison across ranks and evaluation criteria.

I realize the enormous pressures on your time, but would very much appreciate your response before [deadline of 4 weeks from the date of this letter]. The committee relies heavily on wise counsel from authorities like yourself for assistance in making these important decisions on appointments, promotions and granting of tenure.

Kindly address your letter to: Michal Laniado Schwartzman, Ph.D. Chair, TAP Committee New York Medical College School of Medicine Valhalla, New York 10595

For expediency, please e-mail your letter to [email protected]

Thank you very much for your willingness to assist us with this important process.

Respectfully submitted

Michal Laniado Schwartzman, Ph.D. Chairman, Tenure, Appointments and Promotions Committee

MLS/bd Enclosures

***When tenure is considered, the following paragraph is added:

Tenure is awarded to those individuals vital to the school’s missions: education, research and service. Candidate must have a record of outstanding achievement and recognition in scholarly research, clinical work and/or teaching. Irrespective of its form, the candidate's scholarship must provide compelling promise of continued creativity.