Service Portfolio

Please read the following directions before beginning your document.

• Everything should be listed in chronological order consistently throughout the document.
• Please include ALL information that is requested in the SOM format (dates, quantity, etc.)
• Some sections required in the Service Portfolio are the same as your CV so you may copy those over to ensure the information is the same from one document to another. The School of Medicine will compare any similar information in all documents to ensure it matches.
• The SOM expects you to elaborate in your Service Portfolio re: particularly unique/exceptional roles as well in any unique service areas.
• Add name, page number and date on all pages of all documents.
• Avoid using the same activities in multiple sections of your promotion packet. For instance, if you decide to use some community outreach lectures and discussions in your Service portfolio, you cannot reuse it in your Teaching portfolio. However, your participation is some events may have involved both teaching and service activities. In this case, you can list the same event in both portfolios, but you need to be specific about the activity you want to emphasize in each document. Mere duplication is not acceptable.

Supporting Documentation

• All letters of support should be signed – either electronic signature or hand signature on letterhead.

Service is a core component of our role and responsibility as faculty. Thus, for all promotions, a Service Portfolio is required. This section of the website provides background information on Service Portfolios and offers sample portfolios from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, as well as from other departments within the School of Medicine.

• Creating a Service Portfolio (presentation by Kathryn E. Glas, MD, MBA)
• Crafting an Effective Service Portfolio (powerpoint by Nadine Kaslow, PhD)
• Tips for Getting Involved Nationally

How long should my Service Portfolio be?
The SOM guidelines indicate that a Service Portfolio can be a maximum of 10 pages. As a general rule, your written documentation should be 4-6 pages and your support documents (including letters) should be 4-6 pages.

What should be included in a Service Portfolio?
Service and some teaching activities can be included in a Service Portfolio. Presenting a lecture for Grand Rounds is teaching, while presenting a lecture for a local organization or alliance can be considered a service. You cannot use the very same activities in both Service and Teaching portfolios. Please, view the Service Portfolio Template for School of Medicine for more details. 

How do you differentiate between a Service Portfolio and a Teaching Portfolio and can the content overlap?
Although there can be an overlap between content, the service portfolio should focus more on service (i.e., service leadership programs). The teaching portfolio should reflect participation with training programs, directing a course, or judging of science fairs. If you decide to list a single event in both your teaching and service portfolios, be clear about the specific activities you wish to emphasize in each document.

How do you maintain a Service Portfolio?
Service Portfolio should start now and be updated every time a service is performed. It is essential to keep accurate records and collect letters of services completed.

Should my service portfolio look different depending on my area of distinction?
Service does not have to look different for each area of distinction. However, the relative amount of Services compared with Teaching or Scholarship activities can vary significantly between individuals depending on their areas of distinction. For instance, faculty who go up for promotion under Services as area of distinction are expected to submit a more extensive Services Portfolio than someone under the non-tenure Scholarship area of distinction.

What level of service is required for promotion to Associate Professor versus Full Professor?
Service at the Professor level requires significant leadership roles – e.g., Chair or President of a group, Editor of a journal, Director of a major clinical or training program, Chair of a major conference, etc. Service for promotion to the rank of Associate Professor requires participation in the aforementioned activities, but not necessarily key leadership roles. It also differs by quantity of an activity. For example, promotion to the rank of Professor will involve participation on more editorial boards than does promotion to the rank of Associate Professor.

Should community involvement be included on the Service Portfolio?
Yes, community involvement should be included under the community activities section of the Service Portfolio. Depending on your level of involvement, some community activities (educational lectures, workshops, etc.) may also count towards your Teaching portfolio. If you use community activities in both your teaching and service portfolios, be clear about which specific activities you refer to in each document.

Can Media/Press coverage be represented on the Service Portfolio?
Yes, media and press coverage can and should be represented under the community activities section of the Service Portfolio. Depending on the content, you may want to use it in your teaching portfolio, but you cannot use it in both.

What distinguishes important vs. unimportant media coverage?
Any media coverage is applicable in a Service Portfolio.