A Message from Dean Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD

Dear Colleagues,

When Dean Jackson decided to pursue a new opportunity in Iowa, I was asked to move into the position of Dean of the Medical School. Assuming this level of responsibility is very humbling, and I am acutely aware of the magnitude of the task.

Times of transition help us take a fresh look at how we do things and seek out new voices, but they are also times to rely on the wisdom of the past (history) and present (faculty and staff) of the Medical School. It is through the strength of this body of expertise and experience that I hope to develop a cohesive and coherent future.

The story of the Medical School is filled with illustrious giants of discovery, innovation and compassion. In this spirit, I intend to honor the vision of the founders and the commitments made by Dean Jackson. I also plan to ensure alignment of the Medical School with the expectations of President Kaler and the state legislature.

I believe that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, and that is why being a physician, medical scientist, nurse or other medical staff is still a noble calling. It is the Medical School’s great and wonderful responsibility to meet the needs of our patients, cultivate a new and compassionate generation of medical providers, and to advance the science and practice of medicine.

I look forward to being a part of this future and to working with all the people who will contribute to it.

Sincerely,

Jakub Tolar, M.D., Ph.D.
Dean of the Medical School, interim Vice President of the Health Sciences