For over six years, the Department of Medicine has included a statement on professionalism in every offer letter provided to faculty and staff members. The statement inspires candidates to embrace this core value and sets the tone for our entire department. Based on this tradition, the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) has adopted a statement on professionalism that will be included in all letters of offer to faculty. The statement was unanimously endorsed during a September 14, 2016 meeting of chairs of SMPH clinical departments.

Robert Golden, MD, Dean, SMPH, expressed thanks to the Department of Medicine for setting the stage for the new professionalism statement, and to an ad hoc committee chaired by Patrick McBride, MD, MPH, professor, Cardiovascular Medicine, for developing the message. The new statement reads:

"All UW School of Medicine and Public Health faculty are responsible for upholding the highest standards for professional conduct and ethical behavior in pursuing the School’s missions of patient care, education, research, and service.

Professionalism includes: 1) demonstrating honesty, integrity, inclusivity, accountability, and fairness; 2) treating everyone, including patients and visitors, colleagues, staff, and learners, with kindness, compassion, and respect; and 3) making a commitment to altruism in all interactions. Faculty are responsible for personally modeling professional conduct and inspiring and expecting professional behavior by others.

The department expects all faculty to abide by these principles of professionalism, and associated laws and university policies, in the performance of their responsibilities."

Richard Page, MD, George R. and Elaine Love Professor and chair, Department of Medicine, conveyed his thanks to division heads and vice chairs for setting professionalism as a key focus of the department's 5-year strategic plan for 2012—2017. "We can all take pride in setting the direction for the entire SMPH with our commitment to professionalism that we undertook over 5 years ago. Thanks to you all for representing our department and our school in such a professional way, and note that we succeeded, beyond my dreams, in 'getting the word out.'"