BACKGROUND: For some physicians, retirement means leaving their practice and severing ties with their institution, while others may wish to maintain a more active role within their institution. Many institutions have designed programs that enable these individuals to maintain an academic relationship and provide services to their institution. OBJECTIVES: This manuscript provides a brief experience of the Marshfield Clinic (MC) and Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation (MCRF) recent development of an emeritus program for research and education. RESULTS: The program is designed to provide opportunities for physicians, clinical PhDs, dentists, and other clinicians with terminal degrees and the necessary qualifications as researchers, to continue to contribute to the MC/MCRF research mission after retirement from clinical practice. Assignment to various aspects of the program is determined by the individual's expertise, experience and institutional needs. Expectations and performance of each individual is evaluated. The infrastructure of the program was assembled by reviewing institutes that have had an emeritus program in operation and integrating the unique aspect of MC/MCRF resources. CONCLUSION: Alignment of the unique skills, expertise, knowledge, and wealth of experience of emeritus faculty along institutional needs has provided added value to the institution without major financial investment.
BACKGROUND: For some physicians, retirement means leaving their practice and severing ties with their institution, while others may wish to maintain a more active role within their institution. Many institutions have designed programs that enable these individuals to maintain an academic relationship and provide services to their institution. OBJECTIVES: This manuscript provides a brief experience of the Marshfield Clinic (MC) and Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation (MCRF) recent development of an emeritus program for research and education. RESULTS: The program is designed to provide opportunities for physicians, clinical PhDs, dentists, and other clinicians with terminal degrees and the necessary qualifications as researchers, to continue to contribute to the MC/MCRF research mission after retirement from clinical practice. Assignment to various aspects of the program is determined by the individual's expertise, experience and institutional needs. Expectations and performance of each individual is evaluated. The infrastructure of the program was assembled by reviewing institutes that have had an emeritus program in operation and integrating the unique aspect of MC/MCRF resources. CONCLUSION: Alignment of the unique skills, expertise, knowledge, and wealth of experience of emeritus faculty along institutional needs has provided added value to the institution without major financial investment.