Desired Qualities for the New Chair

1. Internationally recognized biostatistician

2. Prior successful management experience

3. A thoughtful, caring person

4. Promoter of diversity in the field of biostatistics

5. Supportive of department's MS faculty track

6. Evidence of being able to secure and sustain large extramural funding

7. Openness to discussion, others' ideas and opinions; approachability

8. Supportive and encouraging of educational endeavors for faculty, staff, and students

9. Integrity: you say what you mean

10. Transparency: we all understand the basis for decisions

11. Treats all members of the department as adults and does not micromanage regarding software

12. Evidence-based and data-driven regarding biostatistics itself

13. Goal-oriented

14. Has a formula for success with common sense solutions

15. Supports career advancement for applied biostatisticians and removes the glass ceiling

16. Has great people skills and knows how to improve morale

17. Creates an incentive program that is aligned with the Vanderbilt Pillar Goals

18. Focuses on using biostatistics to support Vanderbilt and improve patient outcomes

19. Supports teaching and empowering physician-scientists with biostatistical skills

Other strategy:

From a statistical research perspective this person should be internationally recognized, and should have published important papers that shows that he/she has statistical 'vision.' He/she should be involved in the statistical community is a leadership capacity (e.g., study section, ASA executive committees). From a collaborative research perspective, this person should come from a good place where he/she would have had success at publishing in high impact scientific journals as a co-author or first author.

We should probably go to places where people are willing to leave. Maybe go to places in cities with ridiculous cost of living. Maybe go to places that are known to be good but it would seem that people are willing to leave.