COLUMBUS - The formation of a task force to enhance professional opportunities for women faculty in the College of Medicine and Public Health at The Ohio State University has been announced by Dr. Fred Sanfilippo, dean of the college and senior vice president for health sciences.

"The Task Force on Academic and Leadership Progress for Women is an extension of the university's commitment to assure that all faculty have opportunities to succeed in academic and leadership positions, regardless of their gender or minority status," Sanfilippo said. "The task force will be charged with addressing issues and making recommendations in a variety of areas, including mentoring of faculty, research opportunities, promotion opportunities, and leadership and professional development opportunities."

Sanfilippo said the charge to the task force will be to be "forward looking" and to use existing data and reports, such as the recent report on the retention of women and minority faculty, in its work.

The task force will have between eight and twelve members, appointed by the dean for one-year terms, and the goal will be to include representatives of the clinical and basic science faculties, faculty from the School of Allied Medical Professions, and faculty administrators. Efforts will be made to make the membership representative of a cross section of the college faculty and to include some members who are self-nominated.

"The college is committed to its support of the task force in our on-going efforts to ensure that all college faculty members have the greatest opportunity for success in their chosen fields," Sanfilippo said.

Nominations, including self-nominations, for membership to the task force should be sent to the Office of the Dean, Meiling Hall, 370 W 9th Ave.

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(LO)