Why Would You Ever Write a Letter of Recommendation or Support?

I have served on Harvard Medical School’s Committee on Promotions, Reappointments & Appointments and read many, many letters of support. Specifics are key to advocating in a written document. I believe the best letters are full of examples, have some metrics and describe not only the person’s accomplishments to date, but give insights into the promise of what is yet to come. Often, a story is only as good as the storyteller.

My 2nd Request

I remember how wonderful my second invitation was back in 1975 when I asked another professor to write a letter of recommendation for me. She was kind and thoughtful and, most importantly to me, said “yes.” She asked me the right questions to help her write the letter. She inquired about the time frame, and she delivered on her promise to support and advocate for me.

I have asked countless people to support my career since that time, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. They have helped me on my journey and told my story better than I ever could.

I have also written many, many letters of recommendation, and I will continue to do so, especially for the ACR/ARP. These letters bring light and the joy of discovery for each person, and renew my faith in humanity and the trek toward goodness and improvement that are key in medicine.

Thoughtful letter writing has the high promise of bringing bliss and hope to all engaged in the letter-writing activity—the author of the letter, the subject of the letter and the readers of the letter. I think the question for any of us with a view to the future is, “Why would I ever not write a letter of recommendation or support?”

Marian T. Hannan, DSc, MPH, is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and senior scientist at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston. She conducts epidemiological musculoskeletal studies with a research focus on foot disorders and biomechanics, as well as arthritis, osteoporosis and hip fracture.

Acknowledgements: Dr. Hannan thanks the following for their insights and suggestions to make this piece more readable and digestible: Drs. Philip Seo, Nora Singer and Kori Dewing, Dr. Dewing’s very smart teenage daughter, Alana Dewing, and Keri Losavio.