College of Medicine announces interim leadership appointments

François M. Abboud	Allyn L. Mark

Allyn L. Mark, associate dean for research and graduate programs and Carver Professor of Internal Medicine in the college, has accepted the additional appointment of interim executive dean. François M. Abboud, Edith King Pearson Professor of Cardiovascular Research and former head of the Department of Internal Medicine, has been appointed interim associate vice president for statewide health services. The two will divide Nelson’s responsibilities.

Mark will serve as the chief operating officer of the college and be responsible for its day-to-day operation. He will report to Kelch in Kelch’s role as dean of the College of Medicine. As interim executive dean, Mark will assume overall responsibility for the continued growth and development of the faculty, teaching, and research programs in the college.

His other responsibilities will include coordinating the efforts of the associate deans and department heads, and standing in for Kelch as dean when necessary. One of his first duties will be to fill the key position of associate dean for student affairs and curriculum, which became vacant when Peter Densen was named interim head of the Department of Internal Medicine.

Abboud’s interim duties will include facilities development, strategic planning, and external relations for the academic medical center. He will coordinate the planning and construction of the new Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver Biomedical Research Building. Groundbreaking for the building is scheduled for later this year.

Kelch says he consulted leadership in the college’s departments, and in the central collegiate and University administrations prior to making the appointments.

“During the discussions, I was consistently reminded of two important points,” he says. “First, the college is fortunate to have an abundance of both proven and emerging leaders who are willing to assume more responsibilities to assure that we move forward. Second, we must maintain the focus on our tripartite mission of education, research, and patient care, and continue to pursue our strategic goals.”

As executive dean, Nelson was involved in virtually every aspect of the College of Medicine. In addition to his collegiate responsibilities, he had earned a national reputation as an advocate for policies to improve children’s health.

“Dick’s first position here was as director of the Child Health Specialty Clinics, a statewide program that is partially supported with federal Maternal and Child Health (MCH) funds,” says Frank Morriss, professor and head of the Department of Pediatrics who recruited Nelson to the University in 1987. “In this position he developed a strong interest in funding for children’s health care by all potential payors, including insurance companies and federal and state governments.

“He served as a consultant to the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), departments of health in several states, and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. Most recently, he chaired the AAP Committee on Child Health Financing, a very visible, national responsibility, to work for improved financing of health care for all children. His advocacy on behalf of children will be sorely missed,” Morriss says.

The past few months have seen a series of leadership changes in the academic medical center. Nelson’s death followed the resignation of R. Edward Howell, director and CEO of University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and Kelch’s announcement that he would step down as dean to focus on his role as vice president. President Mary Sue Coleman expanded Kelch’s duties as vice president to include oversight of the hospitals and clinics after Howell announced his resignation in November.

Searches are under way for a director/CEO of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and for a dean of the College of Medicine. Ann Madden Rice serves as interim CEO of the hospitals and clinics. Kelch will remain as dean until his successor arrives on campus.

Article by Steven Maravetz