Characteristics Associated With Endowed Chair Titles Among U.S. Academic Ophthalmologists.

INTRODUCTION

Over the last several decades, the number of women in ophthalmology has gradually increased. However, studies have demonstrated that far fewer women than men are represented in senior leadership positions. Having an endowed chair facilitates career influence through support for research, service, and teaching activities and is considered one of the most prestigious academic awards that an institution for a faculty member can grant. We explore the relationship between endowed chair status and a variety of characteristics among ophthalmology faculty at 41 major institutionsacross the United States (U.S.).

METHODS

All 41 ophthalmology hospitals listed in 2022 Best Hospitals for Ophthalmologywere included. Endowed chair status, gender, number of academic titles, rank of institution, region of the U.S., graduate degree, professor status, and ophthalmic subspecialty were collected using publicly available information. Univariable analysis compared the odds of having an endowed chair for subgroups of the studied variables. Multivariable logistic regression determined the odds of having an endowed chair after controlling for other variable effects.

RESULTS

A total of 860 (38%) women and 1,402 (62%) men ophthalmologists were identified. Of these, 246 (10.9%) carried endowed chair titles, of whom 59 (24%) were women. On univariable analysis, being male (p<0.001), greater number of titles (p<0.001), location in the South (p<0.001), PhD degree (p=0.026), full professor status (p<0.001), and uveitis/retina specialization (p<0.001) had significant associations with endowed chair status. Compared with comprehensive ophthalmologists, most ophthalmic subspecialists had greater odds of endowed chair status (p<0.05). On multivariable analysis, all variables had a significant association with endowed chair status (p<0.001) except for gender (p=0.111).

CONCLUSION

After controlling for other variables, holding two or more additional titles, location in the South, PhD degree, uveitis/retina specialization, and holding a full professorship were significantly associated with greater odds of holding an endowed chair across U.S. academic ophthalmology institutions. Gender had a significant association with endowed chair status on univariable but not multivariable analysis; however, more men than women had characteristics that this study found to be associated with endowed chair status.