SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Bridging the Gap to Promotion: The Pediatric Reviewer Database Initiative

Pdf Summary

The Pediatric Reviewer Database Initiative is a collaborative, low-cost, and scalable effort created by representatives from three pediatric organizations—the Academic Pediatric Association (APA), Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Its purpose is to support academic promotion for pediatric hospital medicine (PHM) faculty by connecting promotion applicants with volunteer external reviewers in their areas of expertise.<br /><br />This initiative addresses a common barrier to advancement: many promotion applications require external referees or letters of support, but finding qualified reviewers can be difficult and time-consuming. By providing a structured reviewer database, the program reduces the burden on applicants and helps promote more equitable access to academic advancement.<br /><br />The process works through surveys for both applicants and volunteers. Volunteers are recruited by email, listservs, and QR codes, while applicants submit requests through a QR code. The system then matches each applicant with 3–5 letter writers based on academic rank and relevant expertise. Both applicants and volunteers are notified by email. After completing a review, applicants may also become volunteers, helping sustain the database.<br /><br />Reported outcomes include 139 volunteers, 117 applicants served, and a 56% promotion rate to date. Overall, the initiative appears to be a first-of-its-kind structured and collaborative model aimed at making academic promotion more accessible and less burdensome in PHM.

Asset Subtitle

Kathryn Westphal

Meta Tag

Author List Ann-Marie Tantoco, Erin E. King, Harleena K. Kendhari, Karen L. Smith, Kathryn Westphal, Lynn McDaniel

Category Innovations

Concept Pediatric Reviewer Database Initiative

Concept Academic Promotion

Concept External Referee

Concept Reviewer Database

Concept Pediatric Hospital Medicine

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Nationwide Children's Hospital and Ohio State University College of Medicine

Presenting Author Kathryn Westphal

Track Pediatric

Keywords

Pediatric Reviewer Database Initiative

academic promotion

pediatric hospital medicine

external reviewers

promotion applicants

volunteer reviewers

academic advancement

promotion letters

collaborative model

equitable access

Pediatric Reviewer Database Initiative

Academic Promotion

External Referee

Reviewer Database

Pediatric Hospital Medicine