Clinician Cluster Recruitment Initiative

Clinicians who share lived experiences with those from medically underserved rural and urban communities bring invaluable perspective and impact to academic medicine. They enrich the learning environment, improve patient care and strengthen the institutions they serve.

Through the IU School of Medicine Cluster Recruitment Initiative, we’re creating a pathway to recruit and support exceptional faculty clinicians — investing in their potential as educators, healers and leaders, while helping them build meaningful, lasting careers in academic medicine.

Apply now

Nominate a candidate

Chemen Neal at the vaginitis clinic

Investing in your career and professional development

We understand that academic clinicians are on the front lines of addressing some of health care’s most complex challenges — and we believe that support should go both ways.

That’s why we created the Cluster Recruitment Initiative: an innovative effort to invest in the careers and professional growth of emerging leaders in academic medicine and health care. This initiative is especially focused on those who bring a lived understanding of underserved communities and are committed to making a lasting impact in Indiana.

Everyone is welcome to apply — we’re here to support those who want to give back.

Four years of holistic support and development

  • Participation in Catalyst, a structured, longitudinal executive group coaching program that spans all four years of the initiative and is completed together with your cohort

  • Automatic acceptance into two established faculty development programs to help align your area of expertise and academic promotion: Leadership in Academic Medicine Program (LAMP) and LAMP PLUS+

blue circle with outline of indiana

Improving Health and Wellness

The Clinician Cluster Recruitment Initiative is a project of the 2030 Strategic Plan.

A choice of four career development tracks

In addition to comprehensive leadership development through Catalyst, LAMP, and LAMP PLUS+, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from four specialized tracks designed to build expertise, earn credentials and position you as a recognized leader in your chosen area of focus.

The Clinician Educator track is ideal for candidates interested in a career in medical student (UME) or graduate trainee (GME) education. The following foundational degree options are available:

The Health Systems Leadership track will prepare candidates for a career in health care administration. The following foundational degree options are available:

The Health Informatics track is ideal for clinicians with a strong interest in meeting patients’ needs using biomedical data. The following foundation degree options are available:

We realize not all candidates will be interested in earning an additional degree or may already have a secondary advanced degree. The initiative will support Institutional Impact Fellows in creating a high-impact project that aligns with IU School of Medicine priorities in research, education, community partnerships, institutional engagement and academic or health systems administration.

Example timelines

Flexibility is important for professional growth, and we have factored that into our development timelines. For incoming physicians who know what path they want to take, one of four career development tracks await at the start of their experience. Others might need more time to figure out what’s right for them — our second timeline option will provide that space through two years of professional development programs at the start of their journey.


Ready for career development?

Onboarding year
Acclimation/networking support

⬇

Development Year 1 (2026)
Degree program or Fellow project

⬇

Development Year 2 (2027)
Degree program or Fellow project

⬇

Development Year 3 (2028)
LAMP program

⬇

Development Year 4 (2029)
LAMP PLUS+ program



Need more time to think?

Onboarding year
Acclimation/networking support

⬇

Development Year 1 (2026)
LAMP program

⬇

Development Year 2 (2027)
LAMP PLUS+ program

⬇

Development Year 3 (2028)
Degree program or Fellow project

⬇

Development Year 4 (2029)
Degree program or Fellow project


*The Catalyst coaching program meets approximately once monthly all four years of the initiative.

Program Goals

Attract and support clinicians whose experiences reflect those of Indiana’s medically underserved communities, helping to ensure care that resonates with the people we serve.

Develop a leadership structure at IU School of Medicine and across our health care system that understands and responds to the needs of all the communities we serve — broadening the range of perspectives that guide our decisions and programs.

Expand the number of faculty mentors and role models who either share the experiences of underserved populations or are strongly committed to working in those areas — enhancing support for students and trainees while strengthening the health care workforce.

Grow the physician workforce in critical fields such as cardiovascular care, maternal and infant health, and mental health to help improve outcomes in communities across Indiana.

Learn more about IU

IU School of Medicine

IU School of Medicine fact sheet (PDF)

2030 Strategic Plan

Faculty Affairs and Professional Development

Indiana University

Indiana University Benefits

Recruiting our next leaders

The Cluster Recruitment Initiative will recruit 28 academic clinicians on the Indianapolis campus over four years (seven faculty per year).

Priority clinical specialties include internal medicine, cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, family medicine, and psychiatry (including clinical psychologists). All clinical specialties are welcome to apply.

 

Candidates

  • Early or mid-career faculty.
  • Interest in creating a rewarding career in academic medicine or health systems administration.
  • Must be board-certified/board eligible and able to obtain a license to practice medicine in Indiana. Clinical psychologists must be license eligible as Health Service Providers in Psychology in the State of Indiana.

Apply Now

Apply to join the first cohort of the Cluster Recruitment Initiative or nominate a candidate.

Questions?

If you have questions about the Cluster Recruitment Initiative or wish to speak with a team member, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Transitioning into an academic faculty role can be both exciting and challenging. At times, the path to achieving ambitious career goals may feel unclear or overwhelming. Being part of a cluster connects you to a supportive community from day one—helping to demystify the process and foster long-term success.

Faculty who participate in development programs and build strong professional networks report a greater sense of belonging, reduced burnout, and longer, more fulfilling careers. Your cluster will offer regular group coaching and peer support designed to help you grow with confidence and clarity as you work toward your goals.

Yes. This program is designed as a multi-year experience to support your growth as an academic and health system leader. Each phase builds on the last, helping to ensure steady progress toward academic promotion, leadership development, and meaningful service. Our goal is to provide consistent support that makes your journey more focused, achievable, and rewarding.

Absolutely! Hiring decisions outside the Clinician Cluster Hiring Initiative depend on position availability and are made separately from the initiative's selection process.

This initiative is specifically designed for newly hired faculty. However, current faculty are encouraged to participate in the LAMP and LAMP PLUS+ development programs, which are key components of the broader initiative and offer valuable opportunities for professional growth. 

In addition, there are numerous other faculty development programs and resources available to support your growth. Explore the full range of professional development opportunities. 

Yes — we welcome your application. This initiative is an excellent opportunity to begin building a meaningful and impactful career in academic medicine and health care leadership from the very start.

Our goal is for each cluster to have a minimum of five members.

The time commitment will vary based on the career development track you choose. However, participants receive 20% protected time to engage fully in the program, ensuring you have the space and support needed to make the most of this opportunity.