Department of Surgery Faculty Development Program Enters Third Year
Now in its third year, the Tulane University School of Medicine Department of Surgery’s Surgical Education Mentorship and Faculty Development Program continues to build momentum, supporting faculty as they grow and evolve as educators.
Led by Dr. Jacquelyn Turner, Vice Chair of Surgical Education, the program reflects a growing departmental focus on supporting faculty who are passionate about advancing their skills as educators while building careers that grow with them over time.
“The program was created to address a fundamental gap in surgical training and academic practice. Early-career attendings are often expected to step into educator roles with little to no formal training, despite education being a core responsibility of an academic surgeon.
This program supports faculty across all career stages, helping bridge the gap between being a skilled surgeon and becoming an effective academic educator.”
At its core, the program equips faculty with the tools needed to thrive in academic medicine, from strengthening teaching and communication to supporting mentorship, encouraging collaboration, and growing scholarly productivity. Over the course of a structured one-year experience, participants work closely with mentors and coaches to develop individualized career plans, engage in educational scholarship, and refine their approach to teaching and leadership.
The program emphasizes several key areas critical to success in academic surgery:
- Career planning grounded in personal values
- Strong mentor-mentee relationships
- Communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution
- Scholarly writing and presentation
- Long-term career satisfaction and retention
Participants are paired with experienced faculty mentors and supported by departmental leadership. Through regular meetings, coaching sessions, and milestone-based action plans, faculty are guided in developing an educational project suitable for presentation or publication.
The program also incorporates structured feedback, teaching-style assessments, and opportunities to engage more deeply in initiatives like Grand Rounds, resident didactics, and student programs.
Dr. Kevin Harrell, the program’s inaugural participant, has seen that impact firsthand:
“The opportunity to attend the Simulation in Surgical Education course helped me build a foundation in curriculum development and adult learning techniques, which has directly improved the simulation experience for our residents and medical students," he said.
"The program also expanded my professional network, leading to national roles in surgical simulation, and provided mentorship in education-based research that continues to support my academic growth and pursuit of promotion.”
Faculty members interested in participating are invited to submit a brief statement outlining their interest and how they plan to apply the experience to their educational roles. One faculty member is selected each year.
For Dr. Mary T. Killackey, Chair of the Department of Surgery, the program reinforces a larger departmental priority: training great surgeons starts with investing in great educators.
“One of the most important investments we can make as a department is in the people who teach, mentor, and model what it means to be a surgeon," she said. "This program gives our faculty the time, structure, and support to grow as educators while strengthening the learning environment for our residents and students. That investment has a ripple effect across the department and, ultimately, in the care we provide to our patients.”