Recruiting Faculty: Dovetailing Pharmaceutical and Clinical Scientists Into Our Colleges and Schools

Abstract

Perhaps as academicians, we can learn something from carpenters who utilize dovetail joints in fine cabinetry. The dovetail joint is considered one of the most perfected forms for joining 2 pieces of wood at different angles such that the interlocking “pins and tails” support each other to achieve the strongest, most permanent bond possible.1 It would seem we should consider methods to “dovetail” the connections of those pharmaceutical scientists who elect to join the academy with our colleges/schools and our universities. The difficulties recruiting and retaining faculty members continue to be a frustration and a frequent topic of discussions in our schools and colleges. The 2007-2008 Joint Council of Deans/Council of Faculties Task Force on Faculty Workforce was charged to assess mechanisms like novel compensation packages, alternative faculty appointments, and other programs to enhance the applicant pool and retain faculty members. It is reassuring that this issue is now a discussion topic in our sister professional organizations such as the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), who recognize the importance and necessity for faculty members to educate the next generation of practitioners, clinical scientists, and pharmaceutical scientists. Furthermore, it is encouraging that we are all working collaboratively to address the current and future faculty shortages.