Belmont’s Medical School Suffers Large Faculty Turnover

The Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine, Photo courtesy of Belmont University

Belmont’s Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine recently completed its first year,facing unusual faculty turnover, according to The Nashville Banner. 

 “Since hires were made in the spring of 2021... we’ve hired approximately 90 individuals, and over those four years, we’ve had 20 departures... that’s faculty and staff together,” Anderson Spickard III, dean of FCOM, said in an interview with The Nashville Banner. 

However, after the interview, FCOM revised its numbers. 

It reported 96 hires and 27 departures, a turnover rate of 28%. 

Despite not disclosing a number, the university suspects the reason for faculty leaving is due to the competitive field and their high-ranking titles, making them desirable to other employers.  

It also addressed that building a medical school from scratch is not the easiest challenge, which could have been another obstacle in keeping professors. 

“We understand this undertaking is not for everyone, and, at the same time, recognize that our employees are highly sought after for other roles given the level of expertise we have recruited over the past five years,” a statement from University Communications said.  

Despite the challenges, FCOM is still “fully confident in our ability to build a college that meets the highest standards of medical education,” it stated.  

Faculty recruitment for filling previous roles is open and active, and “we are thrilled with the level of interest and quality of candidates we are receiving,” it said. 

As preparations start for the arrival of the class of 2029, the goal of the school remains consistent. 

“The Frist College of Medicine remains steadfast in its mission to train the next generation of physicians who will serve our communities with excellence, compassion and innovation,” it said. 

- 

This article was written by Emily Garver