Firstname Lastname, Degree(S)

FirstName LastName, Degree(s)

Date

Page 4 of 4

DATE

NAME, DEGREE(s)
ADDRESS

Dear Dr. XXXXX:

We are delighted by your interest in a position on the faculty of the Department of XXXXX in the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (FSM). This letter sets forth the terms that will govern your appointment at Northwestern University. Nothing in this letter is intended to override the terms established by the existing Northwestern University Faculty Handbook

(http://www.northwestern.edu/provost/faculty-resources/shared-governance/faculty-handbook.html).

Faculty Appointment

You will be proposed for appointment to the academic full-time faculty as an XXXX Professor of XXXX for an initial term of three (3) years, effective [date]. Your appointment will be on the non-tenure-eligible clinician-educator track. Your faculty appointment, including your title and the term of appointment, is subject to approval [for Assistant Professor: by the Dean of the Feinberg School of Medicine and Provost of the University OR for Associate and full Professor: by the Appointment, Promotions, and Tenure Committee of the medical school, the Dean of the Feinberg School of Medicine, and Provost of the University]. [I am OR We are (if more than one individual signs this letter)] excited at the prospect of your acceptance of this role, and anticipate no problems obtaining the necessary approvals.

Your faculty appointment is renewable at the discretion of the Chair of XXXX and the Dean of the Feinberg School of Medicine. Procedures for renewal of your faculty appointment and the conditions governing appointment and promotion on the clinician-educator track are set forth in the Feinberg School of Medicine’s Information Guide for Appointments, Promotion and Tenure; you should review this carefully. Your position in the Department of XXXXX is contingent upon your maintaining this appointment in good standing at all times.

During the term of your appointment, you will be subject to the terms of the Northwestern University Faculty Handbook as well as all other Feinberg School of Medicine and University policies. As a Feinberg School of Medicine faculty member, you will also be expected to abide by Northwestern University’s Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment, as well as Feinberg’s Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, both of which are located on the FSM Office for Regulatory Affairs website (http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/compliance/resources/coi-and-prof-integrity/coi-policy-page.html).

Prior to commencement of your appointment, you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent resident status, or documentation of a valid visa that permits your employment at Northwestern, and this position is contingent upon compliance with Form I-9 completion timelines and confirmation of employment authorization by E-Verify. Maintenance of appropriate work authorization is required as a condition of your continued appointment at Northwestern. Appointment to the faculty is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check. You may be required to complete forms in order for the University to conduct this check.

Office space, secretarial support, and necessary office equipment will be provided by the department [or where appropriate “from resources assigned to the Division of XXXXX”].

Clinical Responsibilities

In order to maintain your faculty appointment you must remain a member of [PFF, or RIC, Stroger, etc.] in good standing, unless an exception is requested of and approved by the medical school.

[MODIFY AS APPROPRIATE] All clinical faculty members are expected to perform clinical work as a component of their [PFF, RIC, Stroger, etc.] employment responsibilities. Your clinical responsibilities will include attending on the XXXXX service. This activity will include care and consultation for the XXXXX inpatients at XXXXX. In addition, it is our plan for you to conduct outpatient service XXXXX. Your clinics will be focused on the care of patients with XXXXX. Our department provides prompt, outstanding clinical and diagnostic services needed to ensure optimal training of the fellows and residents and care of our patients. We will negotiate your schedule from time to time so that your clinical load is appropriate and you have a reasonable amount of time to conduct your academic activities.

[OPTIONAL] Per our discussions, we would also like to appoint you as the Medical Director for XXXXX.

[OPTIONAL: for senior administrative appointments only] Subject to approval of your faculty appointment as described above, you will be appointed to serve as [specify administrative role, medical director (state facility), etc. You will serve in this role at the discretion of the Department Chair, the Dean, and/or hospital CEO (include as appropriate depending upon the position), who may remove you from this position at any time with or without cause.

Education and Teaching Responsibilities

All faculty members of the Department of XXXX participate in the educational programs of the department and medical school, which may include teaching service, training, preceptorship, mentoring, etc. It is an important principle of the department that we are all committed to participate in teaching programs for our students, housestaff, and fellows. You will be expected to contribute to the educational mission of the department and school by [insert specific teaching duties and educational roles for this candidate]. All members of the full-time faculty must also accumulate at least XX hours of continuing medical education credit each year for reappointment, of which XX hours must be at XXXXX [include relevant departmental conference(s)].

Student education is an important mission of the medical school, and it is an expectation that all faculty will contribute to Feinberg’s educational mission. The medical school is committed to the principle that educational relationships should be one of mutual respect between teacher and learner. To that end, it is expected that faculty members will abide by the principles outlined in the guide to a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment (http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/md-education/current-students/policies-services/policies/safe-healthy-environment/index.html).

Research and Academic Activities

We anticipate you will also engage in research or educational activities in the area of [describe expected academic activities]. To assist you building your research or educational program, the department will provide the following resources: [describe as appropriate]. You will be expected to obtain and maintain grant or other sponsored research support sufficient to cover the direct and indirect costs of your research effort within three (3) years [or state time frame]. Your reappointment, mix of professional activities, and/or compensation level will be subject to your ability to meet the department’s requirements to obtain and maintain grant/sponsored research support to cover your research program costs.

Compensation

Annual Salary

In your role as a clinician-educator in the department, you will have a guaranteed minimum salary of $XXXXX per year for the first three (3) years [modify as appropriate] you are on the faculty, assuming satisfactory clinical performance and satisfactory discharge of the administrative duties you assume. Compensation will initially be provided as follows: $XXX from XXXX. In addition, you will be eligible for supplemental income based upon your performance, in accordance with a methodology determined by the Department of XXXX’s compensation plan. Among other criteria, this methodology will be determined in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements.

[Optional] In addition, you will receive $XXXXX as Medical Director of… Your compensation for this position may be reduced or eliminated if, at the discretion of the Department Chair, the Dean, and/or hospital CEO (as appropriate depending upon the position), your services are reduced or no longer needed for this position.

As a member of the clinician-educator track, you will be expected to eventually generate sufficient clinical revenue and grants or other extramural support to cover your base salary, the method of which is negotiated yearly with your Division Director [if relevant] and the Chair.

[OPTIONAL: include/modify as appropriate] The Department of XXX has an incentive and bonus plan for all faculty members in the department. You will be eligible to receive incentive compensation in addition to your base salary depending on your ability to reach the benchmark outlined in the plan and the financial performance of the department and XXXX. Any bonus paid will not increase your base salary. Faculty in the Department of XXX will be notified in writing of any future incentive opportunities or changes to the plan.

[OPTIONAL] In addition to the compensation detailed above, you will receive a signing bonus of $XXXXX from [insert organization] payable to you in the form of a loan during your first month of employment. This loan will be forgiven over the course of your first X years at [insert organization]. Forgiveness of the principal and interest will be reported as taxable income in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code and will be factored into the evaluation of your total compensation (i.e., excluding the impact of imputed interest, the amortization of this forgivable loan will add $XXXXX per year to your compensation). If you leave [insert organization] prior to completing X years, you will be required to pay back a prorated amount of the principal and interest of this loan.

Moving Expenses

[Specify source: PFF, RIC, etc.] will provide moving expenses up to one month’s gross salary ($XXXX) [or specific dollar amount] to assist in your relocation to Chicago. You are expected to obtain estimates from movers, and accept the lowest reasonable bid. Copies of estimates and reasonably detailed invoices must be submitted to the department to obtain reimbursement. [OPTIONAL: We expect that you will need to return to Chicago to find a home, and we of course will cover those travel costs.] Some or all of the reimbursed moving expenses may be considered taxable income to you in accordance with applicable law.

Benefits

As an academic full-time faculty member, you will be eligible to receive a tuition benefit through Northwestern University. Should you be interested in details of the benefits, more can be found on Northwestern University’s website at www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits. The University must retain the right to modify or rescind any portion of its benefits packages at any time. [add in details of other plans as appropriate] You will be eligible for benefits according to the terms of applicable plans as they may exist from time to time.

The proposal described in this letter is subject to and made in reliance on the accuracy and completeness of information you have provided regarding your prior education, training, employment history, and medical staff history.

We are extremely enthusiastic about your joining the faculty at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and believe that you have all the skills and attributes to have a highly successful and enjoyable career with us.

Sincerely,