Gary Davis, Ph.D., Named Interim Senior Associate Dean

January 2, 2007   Gary Davis, Ph.D., begins work today as the University of Minnesota Medical School – Duluth Campus interim senior associate dean.   Dean Richard Ziegler’s term ended at the end of 2006.  A search for a new senior associate dean to lead the programs on the Duluth campus of the medical school is underway.  (See information below.)

Commenting on the appointment of Davis, University of Minnesota Medical School Dean Deborah Powell said, “By taking on this responsibility, Davis shows great commitment to the Medical School and to the mission of its Duluth campus to educate the next generation of physicians serving rural and American Indian communities. I appreciate his willingness to provide this valuable service to the Medical School.”

Davis has led the Department of Behavioral Sciences for 22 years and is also associate director of the Center for Rural Mental Health Studies at the Medical School.  He recently was recognized as a Rural Health Hero at a state conference co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health & Primary Care, the Minnesota Rural Health Association and the Rural Health Resource Center - Minnesota Center for Rural Health.  The honor was bestowed because of Davis’ work developing a telemedicine network, providing mental health consultation and short-term treatment in conjunction with clinics in six rural communities.  Davis is a licensed psychologist with more than 30 years of experience.

Members of the Duluth Campus faculty and staff and community leaders attended an event on December 14th honoring Richard Ziegler’s ten years of service as the Medical School -- Duluth campus dean.  Dean Deborah Powell opened the event by commenting on Dean Ziegler’s dedication and service and the dedication of the Duluth campus faculty and staff to its mission of educating MDs to serve rural and Native American communities.  Other presenters included, from the community, Drs. John Sanford and James Sebastian (pictured on left); Holly McDonough representing CEO Becky Malkerson from the Minnesota Medical Foundation; and from the faculty and staff, PhDs Richard Eisenberg, Lois Heller, Lucia Barker, and Patrick Ward, MD.

Ziegler continues his work at University of Minnesota Medical School – Duluth Campus as a professor in the Department of Pathology.