Peter Coccia, M.D., Ittner Professor of Pediatrics, realizes that to some, serving as chair of the College of Medicine’s Promotion and Tenure Committee may seem to be “a bit of an onerous task.”
But he loved it.
In fact it’s only now, after 20 years as chair and downshifting toward retirement, that Dr. Coccia is finally stepping away from the job.
The committee, under Dr. Coccia’s direction, looked at its mission not as saying yea or nay to those up for promotion; but, instead, to better prepare College of Medicine faculty to take that step.
Instead of turning people down, the committee changed its focus to helping people build themselves up.
“He has been such an advocate for faculty – helping them think about how they put their careers together in a way that leads them to promotion and tenure,” said Debra Romberger, M.D., Lehnhoff Professor and chair of internal medicine. “He has been so willing to meet with faculty to help them understand the process. He has helped departments and chairs understand their role in guiding their faculty. I learned so much from him when I was a member of the P and T Committee.”
This aspect of mentorship, of being proactive rather than reactive, has made a difference. “Over the years we have had an almost continuously increasing success rate,” when it comes to promotion, Dr. Coccia said.
He estimated that rate had climbed from about 80 percent to better than 95 percent.
But it was the mentorship relationships, his work with people who are incredibly bright and productive, of which Dr. Coccia is most proud.
“That is very gratifying,” he said.
Chandra Are, M.B.B.S., vice chair of education for the UNMC Department of Surgery and associate professor of surgical oncology and global health, was one of those people. He said Dr. Coccia, in his advice, strikes the perfect balance between “being realistic, but at the same time, being very encouraging.”
Dr. Are recalled that first meeting: “By the time you meet with him he has reviewed your CV, and he’s got it all marked out . . . ‘This is good, this is good, put this here, put that there.'”
Dr. Coccia’s influence goes beyond career goals, Dr. Are said.
“Simply said, he’s a nice and decent man and more importantly, he cared.”
Peter, you will be sorely missed. You have always been a advocate for all our faculties at all times and with all measures. Your attention to detail and going the extra mile to do the right thing has elevated our medical center and University substantively in its mission. There will be a void left. Thank you for a job well done and for your friendship and wisdom.
I am very grateful for Dr. Coccia's wisdom and advocacy for faculty–many thanks for what he was done for so many!
Peter,
UNMC and its faculty owe you a huge debt of gratitude for the amazing thoughtfulness and care you have given the institution in this role over those 20 years. Thank you for your support of our academic mission!
When I took the Chair position of GCBA department, I was helped at every step by Dr. Coccia to handle promotion and tenure process of my departmental faculty. He is the finest and dedicated faculty member of UNMC. I sincerely thank him for his mentorship. I hope he continues to help Chairs and faculty members, with his leadership and mentorship in P&T process.
… a nice and decent man … so eloquently and gently stated about an extraordinary and gentle man. If one were to add an attribute, perhaps it might describe Peter's passion for his patients.