Dean Deborah E. Powell, M.D., to Serve in Leadership Role for Medical Education Curricular Change

Powell to be Associate Vice President for New Models of Medical Education in AHC Senior Vice President’s office and Dean Emeritus

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (June 17, 2009) – Dean Deborah E. Powell, M.D., will serve in the role of AHC associate vice president for new models of medical education for the University of Minnesota beginning July 1, 2009. In addition, she will carry the title of Dean Emeritus.

Dean Powell is transitioning out of her role as the Dean of the Medical School as of July 1 and will assume the associate vice president’s role in the Academic Health Center to continue her work on the transformation of medical education begun during her tenure as dean.

“Debbie Powell is a strong advocate for, and national leader in, the need to transform medical education for the next generation of physicians,” said Frank Cerra, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences. “I believe this will be an important role in ensuring the success of the future of a transformed curriculum for the University of Minnesota Medical School.”

Dean Powell came to the University of Minnesota in 2002, in the role of Dean of the Medical School from Kansas University’s School of Medicine. In her seven year tenure, she successfully recruited chairs of eleven Medical School departments, was instrumental in increasing the class size for the Medical School as well as establishing a dean’s scholarship fund for Minnesota students. In 2004 Powell chaired the AAMC working group on medical student debt. In response to this problem, she initiated the cost of degree tuition model and the Flexible M.D. program at the University of Minnesota.

“This newly created position offers me the opportunity to devote time to developing new models for undergraduate and graduate medical education with faculty colleagues,” said Powell.

Powell is a recognized national leader in medical education, serving as chair-elect of the Association of American Medical Colleges Board of Directors. She is also a member of the newly appointed Scientific Management Review Board for the National Institutes of Health and is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

Dedicated to excellence, diversity and service, the University of Minnesota Medical School educates the next generation of physicians, advances patient care, and discovers breakthroughs in biomedical research that enhance health in Minnesota and beyond. Its commitment to transform medical education, Rural Physician Associate Program, and success in training Native American physicians are well-known. More than 1,500 Medical School physicians and scientists provide world-class care and carry out nearly $200 million in research, which informs the treatments and care that patients receive. For more information, go to www.med.umn.edu.

Contact:
Laura Stroup, Academic Health Center, 612-624-5680 or stro0481@umn.edu
Sara Martin, Academic Health Center, 612-626-7037 or buss@umn.edu