September 13, 2002

The MGH Office for Women's Careers (OWC) kicked off its "Noontime Learning Series," Sept. 5 with the first in a series of monthly seminars that are meant to enhance women faculty members' knowledge and skills so that they will be better equipped to advance in their careers.

The first seminar, "The Nuts and Bolts of Managing a Grant at the MGH," included a panel discussion from members of MGH Research Management. The discussion focused on administrative aspects of grant management, including proposal and grant management procedures, financial systems and human subjects compliance issues. The panelists were Marcia Smith, director for Grants and Contracts; John Fini, director of Research Finance; and Rosalyn Gray, executive director of Human and Animal Studies.

The OWC exists to facilitate the career advancement of women faculty at the MGH by increasing the number promoted on academic tracks and in leadership positions and by enhancing job satisfaction.

"The astounding reality is that there has been little change in the percentage of women faculty who get promoted to the highest academic ranks or who attain top level leadership positions," says Rebecca Starr, OWC program manager. "The MGH does not want to lose its top talent, so our office offers help on a number of levels, including this professional development series."

Future seminars will address some of the many issues that women faculty face in their professional lives, from enhancing specific skills to coping with work-family balance issues.

For more information about the learning series or the OWC, call (617) 724-5229 or visit the OWC website at www2.massgeneral.org/womenscareers

From left, Starr, Smith, Gray and Fini