The Academy of Master
Clinicians (AMC)
at UTMB
Excellence in clinical care is one of the major missions, priorities, and strategic plan of UTMB. Our
exceptional and gifted clinicians are leaders and innovators in their fields and specialties across clinical
departments. With changing healthcare policies and regulatory pressures at the regional and national
levels, there are surmounting challenges in maintaining excellence in clinical care. Newer innovative
strategies are direly needed toward maintaining patient-centric care and developing clinical leaders for
the future. At UTMB, we are grateful to our outstanding clinicians who consistently epitomize the
highest standards of clinical care to our patients with skills, expertise, experience, compassion, and
efficiency. A new program, The Academy of Master Clinicians (AMC) supported by institutional funding
was inaugurated in 2014 as a major initiative to recognize and celebrate the contributions of our
clinicians while simultaneously strengthening our commitment toward providing leadership in patient
care for the future.
Mission Statement
The AMC recognizes and promotes distinction in all clinical domains by fostering excellence in patientcentric care, with a commitment to developing future leaders through the tenets of the art of healing,
empathy, education, scientific rigor, professionalism, mentorship and collaborative team work.
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Demonstrating and exemplifying the highest levels of ethics and professionalism
Demonstrating attributes (trust, accountability, and stewardship) of a supportive and
collaborative team player
Providing superior care to all patients (safe, effective, patient-centered, culturally congruent,
timely, efficient, and evidence-based) in an equitable manner without favor or prejudice and
being a strong patient advocate
Demonstrating compassion and empathy toward patients and their families
Elevating the performance of colleagues, coworkers, and trainees through education, rolemodeling, and mentoring
Striving for continuing quality improvement and outcomes as measured by standard
benchmarks
Vision
Membership in the AMC will be the highest clinical recognition and honor for UTMB clinicians, and is a
commitment to leadership in exceptional patient care.
Criteria for Recognition by AMC
The AMC at UTMB will honor those clinicians who are recognized as consistently outstanding in this
domain. Election to the AMC is envisioned to be the highest honor that is bestowed up on a physician at
UTMB. While providing excellent patient-centric clinical care, a Master Clinician will be distinguished
and recognized by:
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Demonstrating superior depth of knowledge in the clinical field and pursuit of new clinical
knowledge and innovative methods and strategies
Striving to raise healthcare standards in the communities we serve
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Exhibiting excellence in judgment, integrity, interpersonal working relationships with colleagues
and communication skills with patients and their families
Demonstrating and exemplifying the highest levels of ethics and professionalism
Demonstrating attributes (trust, accountability, and stewardship) of a supportive and
collaborative team player
Providing superior care to all patients (safe, effective, patient-centered, culturally congruent,
timely, efficient, and evidence-based) in an equitable manner without favor or prejudice and
being a strong patient advocate
Demonstrating compassion and empathy toward patients and their families
Elevating the performance of colleagues, coworkers, and trainees through education, rolemodeling, and mentoring
Striving for continuing quality improvement and outcomes as measured by standard
benchmarks
Membership in AMC
A master clinician will be elected to the AMC by the selection committee. The Master Clinicians will
meet regularly as a group monthly throughout the academic year.
Expectations of Members of AMC
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Members of AMC will serve as ambassadors within and outside of UTMB
Members will create an organized forum to provide feedback to leadership on strategies to
improve the culture of clinical excellence in general and to promote the ideal patient experience
in particular
Members will be expected to be available as mentors and consultants and to lead or participate
in professional development and training programs for faculty, residents, trainees, students or
staff. Areas of focus will include the art of medicine, communication skills, new faculty
orientation and training, direct observation of clinical skills, and other topics of interest
Attendance at AMC semi-annual General Membership meetings, annual clinical symposium,
and journal clubs
Eligibility for Membership in AMC
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All faculty clinicians at UTMB and its affiliates who have been in active clinical practice for 10
years post training and a minimum of 5 years at UTMB; SOM: ≥ 0.5 cFTE; SON: ≥ 0.2 cFTE;
SHP: ≥ 0.1 cFTE
Have achieved the highest level of education, training and certification in their respective
discipline, without limitations to licensure or other restrictions to practice
Faculty from all tracks are eligible (tenure, non-tenure, and clinical tracks)
Master Clinicians must have an MD, DO, PhD or terminal equivalent clinical degree
Nomination Process
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Nomination process will be held annually
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A letter of nomination may be made by any member of the healthcare team
These nominations will be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the AMC. Select individuals
will be invited to continue the process by attesting their eligibility and willingness to participate
in the duties of the AMC
Self-nominations are also allowed. The checklist and attestation will be submitted along with
the letter of nomination
Nomination Portfolio
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A letter of nomination; if the nominator is the nominee’s division chief/department chair, (see
instructions below):
A letter from the nominee’s division chief/department chair; the letter will acknowledge support
and responsibilities to fulfill expectations associated with the designation as Master Clinician
A personal statement from the nominee, expressing their core philosophy on patient care and
on teaching, personal values and beliefs, the importance of professionalism, and other areas
relevant to being a Master Clinician
Completed Clinical Portfolio pertinent to the applicants school (see instructions below):
http://www.utmb.edu/amc/documents/APT%20Submission%20Materials.docx
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Additional data: Quality and outcomes, patient satisfaction, honors, awards, professional
organizations, regional clinical awards, etc.
Nominee’s updated CV in UTMB format
Three additional letters from others (faculty, staff, trainees) at UTMB; one of the letters of
support may be from outside UTMB
Letter of nomination and all letters of support should include specific examples which illustrate
the principles of the Master Clinician addressing the following key elements: core philosophy,
clinical excellence, professionalism, role model, teaching and reputation. All letters may not
exceed two pages
Timeline
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September 1st – Call for nominations
An electronic copy of the nomination letter should be sent by the nominator no later than
September 30th to:
The Academy of Master Clinicians Selection Committee
c/o Karen Little, Provost Administration
Email: klittle@utmb.edu
Phone: 409.772.4762
October 15th – Completed attestation and checklist of eligibility received
October 31st – Committee deliberates and notifies select nominees to proceed with completed
nomination packet
January 15th – Completed nomination packet submitted
March 15th – Committee convenes to review/vote
May 1st – Acceptance letters sent to nominees
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June – Induction Ceremony
Any questions may be directed to Linda G. Phillips, MD at lphillip@utmb.edu or via phone
409.772.1257
The AMC Executive Committee
Have been selected by nomination form the AMC Steering Committee and from Departmental Chairs
reflecting representations from all major clinical areas and departments for 2-year term. They include:
Dr. Linda G. Phillips, Director (Surgery, SOM)
Dr. Masood Ahmad (Internal Medicine, SOM)
Dr. Gloria Brandburg (School of Nursing)
Dr. Sean Funston (Anesthesiology, SOM)
Dr. Sandra Hatch (Radiation Oncology, SOM)
Dr. Michelle Mercatante (CBC, SOM)
Dr. William Mileski (Surgery, SOM)
Dr. Luis Pacheco (OB/GYN, SOM)
Dr. Vinod K. Panchbhavi (Orthopaedics, SOM)
Dr. Janak Patel (Pediatrics, SOM)
Dr. Jennifer Raley (Family Medicine, SOM)
Dr. Michael Stone (Psychiatry, SOM)
Dr. Carolyn Utsey (School of Health Professions)
Selection Committee
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Membership will consist of 4 groups of 3 individuals from the AMC Executive Committee. Past
winners of the Master Clinician Award and selected other Awards of Excellence winners as
designated by the Dean who will serve for 2 year terms.
Current committee members are to be selected from the AMC Executive Committee
Select Master Clinicians will become members for future Selection Committees. Terms will be
staggered.
Members of the Selection Committee will recuse themselves from discussion or evaluation of
any faculty member nomination from their department or for whom they have written a
nomination letter
Reference:
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
http://www.med.upenn.edu/fapd/AcademyofMasterClinicians.html