Equip Program
Mid-career women faculty need strong, versatile communication skills to navigate high-stakes presentations, meetings, interviews, and negotiations to achieve their career goals and strengthen the joy and meaning of their work. They are often cornerstones of clinical, research and educational programs yet face obstacles to career advancement[1] and suffer higher rates of burnout and lower job satisfaction.[2]
The Equip program brings these faculty together for peer-coaching and skills-based practice of workplace communication that advances their immediate and future career goals. Participants in our 2023 and 2024 programs saw improvement in their communication skills (see results below) and gave this feedback:
“I was able to utilize the skills developed in the Equip program immediately in my work. This program gave me the confidence and drive to explore additional leadership opportunities.”
“Networking with people at a similar career stage was helpful and energizing. Having dedicated time and opportunity for these sessions helped with refocusing and invigorating my career.”
“I really liked the role play which was thoughtful and well-prepared. We could use our own true circumstances to do the role-playing, which was exceedingly helpful.”
"Equip is the most impactful course I've done in UMass! This program transformed my work life overnight. Beyond knowledge and technique, Equip gave me the opportunity to practice concepts in real-time, in a safe peer supported environment, guided by superb mentors. Drs. Reidy and Green are distinguished leaders, yet also approachable and humble enough to be incredibly effective coaches, making Equip an experience I will never forget."
"I wish this was available a few years ago!! This opened up a whole new world of faculty development to me."
Format: 6 two-hour sessions from January to March when participants will practice elevator speeches, brief high-impact presentations, effective use of social media, negotiation skills, navigating workplace conflict, and managing up via simulation with feedback from peers and expert facilitators.
Location: iCELS (simulation center) at UMass Chan Medical School
Facilitators: Jennifer Reidy, MD (course director), Emily Green, PhD, MA (Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Development), Mary Ahn, MD (Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs) and guest speakers
Nomination process: Faculty must be at the level of associate professor or assistant professor for more than 6 years. They are nominated by their department chair who ensures they have protected time for the program sessions.
Equip 2025 has been canceled. More information on future programs coming soon.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Reidy, MD, course director, at Jennifer.reidy@umassmemorial.org
2024 Participants’ self-rated communication skills (n=7/8 participants)
|
Topic: |
Pre-Equip self-rated score (mean) |
Post-Equip self-rated score (mean) |
% change |
|
Delivering an elevator talk |
2.8 |
4.6 |
64% |
|
Giving a brief, high-impact presentation |
3 |
4.7 |
57% |
|
Crafting a message on social media |
2.5 |
4 |
60% |
|
Utilizing negotiation skills |
2.8 |
4.2 |
50% |
|
Navigating difficult workplace conversations |
3.2 |
4.3 |
34% |
|
Managing up and across |
3 |
4.3 |
43% |
2023 Participants’ self-rated communication skills (n=9/10 participants)
|
Topic: |
Pre-Equip self-rated score (mean) |
Post-Equip self-rated score (mean) |
% change |
|
Delivering an elevator talk |
2.78 |
4.11 |
48% |
|
Giving a brief, high-impact presentation |
3.22 |
4.44 |
38% |
|
Crafting a message on social media |
2.00 |
3.89 |
94% |
|
Utilizing negotiation skills |
2.56 |
4.22 |
65% |
|
Navigating difficult workplace conversations |
3.22 |
4.22 |
31% |
|
Managing up and across |
n/a |
4.00 |
n/a |