When it comes to medical ranks and titles, there are several levels above that of “doctor”. The highest and most prestigious rank that a physician can achieve is “professor”. Let’s take a closer look at the various medical ranks and what it takes to reach the top.
Medical Student
The first stage in the journey to becoming a doctor is being a medical student. This involves completing a 4-year undergraduate program, taking courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and other sciences. Medical students apply to medical school after finishing their bachelor’s degree. They must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as part of the application process.
Medical Resident
After graduating from medical school, new doctors enter a residency program in their chosen specialty, such as family medicine, surgery, pediatrics, etc. As residents, they provide medical care under the supervision of fully licensed physicians. Residency programs typically last 3-7 years depending on the specialty. During this time, residents gain hands-on training and progressively take on more responsibility in caring for patients.
Medical Fellow
Some doctors may pursue additional specialized training after finishing residency by becoming a fellow. Fellowships provide 1-3 years of intensive training in a subspecialty, such as cardiology, gastroenterology, surgical critical care, etc. Fellows function as specialty consultants in their hospitals and clinics while receiving supervision from attending physicians in their subspecialty.
Attending Physician
After completing all training, doctors become independently licensed attending physicians. As attendings, they are fully responsible for diagnosing and treating patients. Attendings supervise medical residents and fellows. They may work in a hospital or clinic, or maintain a private practice. Attendings have completed a residency in their specialty area and perhaps a fellowship if they have a subspecialty focus.
Assistant Professor
Many attending physicians take faculty appointments at an academic medical center or university hospital. Here they combine their clinical work with teaching and research. The first faculty rank is assistant professor. Appointment as an assistant professor requires having an M.D. or D.O. medical degree, full medical licensure, completion of residency and perhaps fellowship training, and some teaching and research experience.
Associate Professor
The next advancement in academic medicine is promotion to associate professor. This title recognizes additional years of successful teaching and greater contribution to research and scholarly work. Associate professors serve as mentors to junior faculty. Promotion typically requires excellence in clinical care, educating trainees, and publishing impactful studies and papers.
Professor
A physician who achieves the rank of full professor has reached the pinnacle of academic medicine. The requirements for appointment as a full professor include national recognition for clinical expertise, a substantial body of high-quality research and publication, excellence as a medical educator, and distinction in the field through leadership and mentoring. Professors are respected as authorities in their medical specialties.
Department Chair
The administrative leader of an academic department of medicine or surgery is the department chair. Chairs are appointed from among the senior faculty professors. Along with their ongoing clinical, research, and teaching activities, they take on leadership responsibilities for strategic planning, faculty recruitment and development, curriculum design, resource management, and representing the department.
Division Chief
Large departments may be organized into divisions focusing on subspecialties. The head of a division is appointed as division chief. Division chiefs are professors who coordinate clinical, research, education, and administrative activities within their division while reporting to the overall department chair.
Dean
The highest position at an academic medical center or medical school is dean. The dean serves as the chief executive officer and academic leader for the institution. Responsibilities include oversight of the faculty, students, curriculum, research programs, clinical services, budget and facilities. The dean reports to the university president or CEO. Appointment as dean represents the pinnacle of achievement in academic medicine.
Conclusion
In summary, the medical ranks above basic “doctor” are assistant professor, associate professor, professor, department chair, division chief, and dean. Attaining these titles, especially the higher ranks of full professor, department chair, and dean, requires outstanding performance in patient care, research, teaching, and leadership over many years. The highest calling is training future doctors and advancing medical knowledge through scholarly work and innovation.
| Rank | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Medical Student | 4 years undergraduate, MCAT exam |
| Medical Resident | M.D./D.O. degree, postgraduate residency 3-7 years |
| Medical Fellow | Completed residency, additional 1-3 years subspecialty training |
| Attending Physician | Completed residency/fellowship, licensed to practice |
| Assistant Professor | M.D./D.O, residency/fellowship, teaching and research experience |
| Associate Professor | Excellence in clinical care, education, research and publication |
| Professor | National recognition, extensive high-quality research, leadership |
| Department Chair | Appointed from senior faculty professors |
| Division Chief | Professor heading subspecialty division |
| Dean | Highest executive officer of medical institution |
This table summarizes the primary requirements for advancing through the medical ranks from student to the highest roles of professor, department chair, division chief, and dean.
Other Advanced Medical Roles
In addition to formal teaching and leadership ranks, some other advanced medical roles and recognitions include:
Chief of Staff
The chief of staff is the senior physician leader at a hospital. This role oversees the medical staff and may chair the medical executive committee. Chiefs of staff are highly experienced physicians focused on administrative duties and quality oversight.
Endowed Professor
An endowed professorship is a prestigious honor for senior faculty. It is funded by a donation that allows eminent professors to focus on teaching, research and patient care. Endowed chairs and professorships are named after their benefactors.
Emeritus Professor
Upon retiring, longtime distinguished professors may be awarded emeritus status. As emeritus professors, they maintain an honorary association with the institution. Some may continue teaching, research, or advising students.
Director
Physicians can take on leadership roles as medical directors overseeing major institutes, clinical programs, or quality and safety functions in a health system. Directors leverage their clinical expertise in an administrative capacity.
President/CEO
Ultimately, some physicians ascend to the role of president or CEO of a major hospital, health system or medical school. This requires exceptional leadership capabilities on top of medical expertise.
Honors and Awards
Beyond titles, doctors can earn distinctions through honors and awards, including:
- Election to prestigious scientific organizations like the National Academy of Medicine
- Named lectureships at universities or conferences
- National awards for research, teaching or clinical excellence
- Leadership of major medical societies
- Honorary degrees
While most doctors remain as attending physicians involved in patient care, those who excel can advance to higher ranks through academia or administration. The path requires outstanding performance as clinicians, educators, researchers, and leaders over the course of an accomplished career.
Conclusion
In summary, the highest ranks attainable for physicians beyond the basic doctor level are professor, department chair, division chief, and dean in the academic setting. Other advanced roles include chief of staff, director, or president/CEO in the healthcare administration environment. Only a select few reach these pinnacles through decades of exceptional patient care along with scholarly and leadership contributions. For most, making meaningful impacts on human health through quality medical practice remains the greatest privilege and highest calling of a medical career.