Fairness in Compensation

Dear CSS Members and Colleagues:

Enclosed is an article I authored in collaboration with Brian Cole, MD, Ph.D., MBA and Jim Herndon, MD, MBA 12 years ago. Brian was my fellow and Jim Herndon my teacher and mentor. Both are friends and both have left an indelible mark on Orthopedics as a result of blending surgical skill and insights form business training.

The concept proposed in this article considers a framework for incentivizing those of us who work in an “academic program”. To be sure, the definition of such work environments is quite broad; however, core values may be more narrow than we might imagine.

In the 12 years since we wrote this I’ve come to understand that “academics” is a state of mind and not a title or a position. Indeed, some of the greatest thinkers and innovators I’ve had the privilege to know in orthopedics never fit the moniker of academician based on the criteria of title. Thus, now more than ever, it is important to consider how we motivate and sustain this energy. For some of you, a private practice environment works. For others, it may be academics. All of us will face the same pressures that come with a fiscal responsibility to our families and dependents. So perhaps this article can give you some context to consider your personal situation.

Kind Regards,

“JP” Warner, MD

Founder, CSS