Mission
The GFA Communications Committee is responsible for disseminating information and news among members of the GFA and to the AAMC. The committee is led by the chair-elect.
Chair
Robert Tillman, PhD
Senior Faculty, Department of Education, Innovation, and Technology
Director, Faculty Development in Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development
Director, Mentoring and Professional Development
Baylor College of Medicine
Members
Elisabeth Cagle
Strategic Project Manager, Office of Academic Affairs
Stanford University School of Medicine
Trista Hoehne, MS
Program Manager for Faculty Affairs
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Samantha Powers, BS
Lead Administrative Support Specialist, Faculty Affairs
University of Oklahoma-Tulsa School of Community Medicine
E. Terrell Washington, MS
Associate Dean for Faculty Success, Interim
Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University
Rose Kim, MD, MEdHP
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Associate Professor of Medicine
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Heather Dorr, MEd
Director of Faculty Affairs
University of Minnesota Medical School
Conversations That Matter
Conversations That Matter (CTM) is an initiative developed by the GFA Communications Committee to foster dialogue, reflection, and shared learning across the Group on Faculty Affairs (GFA) community. Designed using a World Café–style dialogue model, CTM sessions center on facilitated small-group conversations that encourage participants to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and surface common themes and practical approaches related to faculty affairs and faculty development in academic medicine. Sessions are offered in person during the annual GFA Professional Development Conference and virtually through interactive webinars held throughout the year.
CTM provides faculty affairs professionals with a structured space to explore emerging challenges, share promising practices, and reflect on strategies that support faculty and staff across academic medicine. Participants gain valuable peer insights, exposure to diverse institutional approaches, and opportunities to strengthen professional connections within the GFA community. Following each session, key themes and resources—such as summary documents or key takeaways—are shared to extend learning and support ongoing work across institutions. Below, you will find a list of past Conversations That Matter events and related resources.
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Faculty Affairs in a New Era: Adaptive Approaches to Engagement, Retention, and Collaboration
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Flourishing in the Flux: Conversations on Thriving in Academic Medicine
GFA Newsletters
GFA Faculty Matters is intended to keep GFA members and the faculty affairs community connected and informed. You can expect to see AAMC resources, announcements, member profiles, and more in each issue.
To sign up for the newsletter, email gfa@aamc.org.
GFA in the News provides updates from the four GFA subcommittees, including webinar offerings, new initiatives, and updates regarding the GFA Professional Development Conference.
To sign up for the newsletter, email gfa@aamc.org.
GFA Communities
The GFA hosts an online community group, which facilitates communication among medical school faculty, administrators, and staff who are responsible for faculty affairs policies and faculty development issues. Peers can exchange ideas, post information and questions, and seek solutions using this forum. Login in required. Request to join the GFA community.