Sustaining and growing the physician scientist pipeline
The work of the physician scientist is essential to uncovering scientific discoveries and developing new therapies, treatments and preventive care in our communities. Yet, the number of physician scientists in the U.S. continues to decrease, resulting in a shortage of physician scientists in academia, government, world health and industry. At The Ohio State University College of Medicine, we are committed to strengthening the physician scientist pipeline to retain and increase the number of physician researchers working in the U.S.
Ohio State’s Physician Scientist Education and Training encompasses several programs that are designed to develop and train early-career physician scientists, with the intent to:
- Provide early, intensive training to physicians interested in incorporating medical research into their career
- Promote collaboration and build supportive environments within the physician scientific community, where they can ask hard questions and pursue difficult problems
- Connect and engage trainees with faculty mentorship at Ohio State
What we are doing
Our programs span a long pipeline of physician scientist training and development, from undergraduate and doctoral-level programs, to residency and fellowship, and to early career faculty and beyond. Our programs include the ASPIRE Medical Research Program, Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), Medical Student Research Program (MDSR), Physician Scientist Development Program (PSDP), Master of Medical Science Program (MMSP), and Physician Scientist Scholars Program (PSSP).
The overarching mission and goals across all our Physician Scientist Education and Training programs include:
- Recruiting high quality physician scientist trainees and early career faculty
- Creating a culture of mentorship excellence and professional growth
- Building a strong physician scientist identity and visible community at Ohio State
- Enhancing the physician scientist infrastructure at Ohio State
- Elevating the national stature of Ohio State’s College of Medicine’s commitment to the physician scientist career path and professional development
Message from the Associate Dean
Physician scientists, surgeon scientists, and clinician scientists play a vital role in advancing research, innovation, and new therapies that improve the health and wellness of our nation. By bridging the worlds of patient care and scientific discovery, they bring unique insights that accelerate the translation of research findings into meaningful advances in healthcare.
At Ohio State, we are committed to fostering a thriving physician scientist community by increasing visibility, strengthening connections, and providing the specialized resources, mentorship, training, and career development support needed for success. Through the Office of Physician Scientist Education & Training (PSET), learners, trainees, and faculty have access to a comprehensive network of programs and opportunities designed to support physician scientists at every stage of their career and advance Ohio State's tripartite mission of education, research, and patient care.
I have the privilege of serving as the inaugural Associate Dean for Physician Scientist Education and Training and am honored to collaborate with a talented group of faculty educators and administrative staff. Together, our team focuses on enhancing the infrastructure and synergizing efforts to engage, recruit, train, support and retain a diverse cadre of physician scientists, surgeon scientists, and clinician scientists across medical and surgical specialties at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
Associate Dean, Physician Scientist Education & Training
Professor of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center
Olga Jonasson MD Professorship in Surgery
Director, Ohio State Medical Scientist Training Program
Director, Department of Surgery Research Training Program