Dean's Weekly Message
August 17, 2026
At last week’s clinical chairs meeting, I introduced principles for our school’s upcoming efforts to update faculty compensation plans:
- Empower faculty to pursue their passion and empower chairs to reward their faculty across all missions.
- Enhance performance individually, within departments, and across the school by using predictable metrics.
- Reduce expenses so our resources can be used to pay more competitive compensation and to invest in our academic mission.
These changes are necessary so that we can achieve our goal of becoming one of the nation’s Top 10 medical schools. We can’t become Top 10 without attracting, retaining, and rewarding Top 10 talent. In order to empower faculty to pursue their passion, we need to put tools in place that help us measure and reward their performance.
Many of our current compensation plans don’t reward clinical productivity well, but also fail to provide specific and predictable rewards for our other missions. If we’re not rewarding people in a clear and predictive way for what they are doing, then they might go somewhere else.
I am excited to announce that faculty of the Department of Orthopedics have overwhelmingly approved an updated compensation plan that aligns faculty performance with our school’s growth plans and strategic goals.
This is a huge win for our school and our efforts to become Top 10!
It’s important for us to identify ways to encourage growth in areas where we want to be the best. I firmly believe that this will provide clarity to hard-working faculty as they will see compensation align with work effort.
Because our compensation model is woefully outdated, we face tremendous risk. For example, the Department of Orthopedics has not updated its compensation model in more than 15 years. Against the rapid-changing health care milieu, it did create an opportunity for us to lose expertise due to competitive recruitment.
I am so thankful that the department’s leaders and faculty have recognized that there is a better way. With 85% approval, our orthopedics faculty adopted a plan that moves us to a modern compensation model.
“This plan helps us align our costs with the mission,” said Evalina Burger, MD, Chair of Orthopedics. “It also aligns our work effort to compensation.”
There are many factors that are reshaping the work environment of our faculty. The department has added a substantial footprint within our community practices, the economic environment is challenging, and we continue to see strains on professional reimbursement.
“We believe moving to a productivity-based model allows us to really reward and incentivize all three aspects of our mission in a meaningful way without some of the financial risks landing directly on the shoulders of our faculty,” said Katie Dean, MBA, Vice Chair of Finance and Administration in the Department of Orthopedics.
The acceptance of this new compensation model demonstrates strong faculty support for a transparent approach to compensation.
"In a rapidly evolving health care landscape, the new compensation plan provides much-needed predictability and stability, directly recognizing the hard work, productivity, and contributions of our orthopedic faculty," said Kenneth Hunt, MD, Professor of Orthopedics and the department's Vice Chair, Quality, Patient Safety and Outcomes.
I am hopeful that other departments will soon adopt updated compensation models that ensure that our school and faculty practice are able to stay strong and build on the many advantages we have here: talented colleagues, strong clinical partners, and inspiring leaders with exceptional vision.
V Foundation for Cancer Research Supports CU Research
A $1 million grant from the V Foundation for Cancer Research — a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 by ESPN and legendary NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano — will support University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center leader Patricia Ernst, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics, in her research on new treatments for infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), an exceptionally high-risk form of leukemia with a very poor prognosis, despite implementation of new immunotherapy and cellular therapies.
Dr. Ernst is working on the research with fellow CU Anschutz Cancer Center and Children’s Hospital Colorado researcher Kelly Faulk, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, who is overseeing an international clinical trial to see if a new type of targeted drug called a menin inhibitor — which blocks a protein that leukemia cells need to survive — combined with chemotherapy, is effective in patients with infant ALL.
“The V Foundation grant is for what they call ‘bedside to bench’ research,” said Dr. Ernst, who is co-leader of the Cancer Center’s Molecular and Cellular Oncology program. “Kelly is a physician who sees patients who have this high-risk leukemia, and I have studied it from a basic science point of view for a long time, so it's a combination of those two areas of expertise.”
Life after Deanship
I recently had such an enjoyable conversation with former Dean Richard Krugman, MD, that I asked for his permission to share news about his life since he stepped down from the deanship in 2015.
Dr. Krugman keeps a robust travel schedule, so I was fortunate to grab a few moments with him when he was in town to work with an author writing a history about our school’s move to the Anschutz medical campus.
“Since Mary passed away in 2023, I’ve been traveling all the time,” he said. In fact, he spends most weekends traveling across the country to connect with his 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and more than 50 professional colleagues. All counted, he says he’s reconnected with around 200 people since then.
Last Thanksgiving, decades after first receiving an invitation from a clan of second cousins to join them for dinner, he made it to Thomaston, Ga., about 75 miles south of Atlanta. There were more than 40 people, including other Krugmans from Colorado, who gathered at the home of these distant relatives. Then, at Christmas, Dr. Krugman, his children, and grandchildren gathered in Costa Rica.
His travels have also included many four-day weekends, leaving Denver on Thursdays to fly to other academic centers to meet with other pediatricians and public health experts to discuss how to make progress on preventing child abuse and neglect.
He also hopped the Amtrak Zephyr to visit a Grand Junction physician, David Dirks, MD, who was a medical student here at CU in the Class of 1975. Another driving journey to Grand Junction included a stop in Carbondale to visit Darrell Kirch, MD, ’77, president emeritus of the Association of American Medical Colleges.
“It’s a lot easier to have life after deanship if being a dean was never in your career plan,” said Dr. Krugman, who returned to his research and advocacy for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Dr. Krugman isn’t the only former Dean on the go. Inspired by Dr. Krugman’s stories, I tracked down former Dean John J. Reilly, Jr., MD, to hear what he’s been up to.
Since stepping down in 2024, Dr. Reilly has been living life in a faster lane, traveling to 20 different countries and driving his 1973 Porsche 911 with his brother Jeff on two international rallies. They completed the Peking to Paris 2025 rally, and they did the 2026 Nordic Challenge this summer. He adds that he’s only been to two more countries — Japan and South Korea — than his car.
“All in all, it was a great experience,” Dr. Reilly wrote at the conclusion of the latest rally. “Steep learning curves for both of us: Jeff getting reacquainted with driving a car with manual transmission, me attempting to master the technicalities of rally navigation and time-keeping. In future rallies, we will split time so that we both do both activities. The fellow competitors were all very nice and with one or two exceptions, highly experienced. It was amazing to watch the three pre-war Bentleys, one of which is more than 100 years old, hustle down the road and around the track. A beautiful part of the world and we got to travel down some very uncommonly used roads. Given that Jeff and I are not small, it was notable how narrow the beds in the Norway hotels are. Now, we are both back to the U.S.”
Dr. Reilly said he will be cycling in Italy this fall. He and his wife, Lise Woodard, rented an apartment in London for 2026 and have spent considerable time there hosting family and friends. Their sixth grandchild was recently born, so when they are in the U.S., they’re traveling between their home here in Denver and the cities where their children and their families live. Dr. Reilly also still builds furniture in his free time.
If you’re planning a trip to London, he can offer some great recommendations. For a recent trip I took, he suggested a great Henry Moore sculpture exhibition at the beautiful Kew Gardens. He also had recommendations for top-notch Indian restaurants.
Those post-deanship years are certainly golden! Please join me in wishing them many more exciting adventures.
Featured News
CU Anschutz Hospitalist Helps Make Pulmonary Tuberculosis Testing Faster and Less Painful
Anusha Raja, MD, MBA, an Assistant Professor of Hospital Medicine, is helping make pulmonary TB testing quicker and less burdensome for patients, who remain in isolation for as long as testing lasts — usually at least a full day, if not longer. She and her team created an innovative solution that streamlines the testing process and minimizes unnecessary delays.
“I chose this project because of the importance that it holds for our pulmonary TB patients. When they’re being tested and placed in isolation, it can add barriers to their clinical care, increase their length of hospital stay, and affect their overall patient experience,” Dr. Raja says.
Read More About Faster TB Testing
Faculty Updates
Andrea Sikora, PharmD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics, has been selected for the 2026 class of National Academy of Medicine Fellows. Fellows are chosen for their professional qualifications, reputations, and accomplishments, and based on the relevance of their current field of expertise to the work of the NAM and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Dr. Sikora is receiving the NAM Fellowship in Pharmacy.
Featured Events
8/20
A Tale of Two Hearts Screening, Q&A
Thursday, August 20, from 3–5 p.m.
Mt. Oxford, Children’s Hospital Colorado Conference Center
A Tale of Two Hearts is a film exploring the intersection of medicine, identity, and artistic expression featuring Jaime Belkind-Gerson, MD, MSc, Professor of Pediatrics. Dr. Belkind-Gerson is a pediatric gastroenterologist, researcher, and visual artist whose work bridges the gap between clinical precision and human emotion. A live Q&A with Dr. Belkind-Gerson will follow the screening.
9/9
Dean’s Distinguished Seminar Series: Debra Houry, MD, MPH
Wednesday, September 9, 3 p.m.
Hensel Phelps West Auditorium, Research 1 North
The School of Medicine proudly presents Debra Houry, MD, MPH, Senior Fellow, Yale University School of Public Health. Dr. Houry will present “Lead Like a Doctor: Lessons from Medicine, Outbreaks, Public Service and Health Innovation.” Drawing on experiences from clinical medicine, outbreak response, federal leadership, and emerging health technologies, she will also discuss how innovations such as AI-enabled tools, real-time data systems, and advanced diagnostics are reshaping decision-making and creating new opportunities to improve health.
10/14
New Faculty Orientation
Wednesday, October 14, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Donald M. Elliman Conference Center, Anschutz Health Sciences Building
The Office for Faculty Development is hosting the annual New Faculty Orientation on October 14. This daylong event provides a structured overview of the school and campus, including introductions to essential units, resources, and services. Participants will have opportunities to network with colleagues and meet campus leaders, ensuring a strong foundation of knowledge and connections as they begin their faculty roles. Faculty can register for the orientation online. For questions, contact aimee.gardner@cuanschutz.edu.
11/6
2026 Mentorship Academy
Friday, November 6
Donald M. Elliman Conference Center, Anschutz Health Sciences Building
The CU Anschutz School of Medicine co-hosts this daylong event with faculty from the University of Michigan. The event alternates between Ann Arbor and Aurora each year, and this year, the academy will be hosted in Aurora in the Elliman Conference Center. Space will be limited to 200 individuals on a first-come, first-served basis. Save the date and watch this space in October to make a reservation.
Recent Publications
Matthew K. Wynia, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine and Public Health and Director of the CU Center for Bioethics and Humanities, is author of a perspective article, “ Resistance, Strategic Compromise, or Complicity? Physicians’ Choices under Ethical Pressure,” published August 8 by The New England Journal of Medicine.
Andres Vazquez-Torres, PhD, Professor of Immunology and Microbiology, is corresponding author of a review article, “Salmonella uses sulfate reductases with unique catalytic activity to promote gut colonization in mice,” published August 5 by Nature Microbiology. Six co-authors are from our campus.
Suchitra Rao, MBBS, MSCS, Professor of Pediatrics, is corresponding author of an original investigation, “Effectiveness of Oseltamivir in Hospitalized Children With Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza, 2014-2023,” published August 10 by JAMA Pediatrics. Four co-authors are from our campus.
Jessica Ryder, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine; Charles Little, DO, Professor of Emergency Medicine; and Jason Persoff, MD, Professor of Medicine, are co-authors of an original investigation, “Implementation of Alternate Care Facilities During Public Health Emergencies: A Qualitative Study,” published August 5 by JAMA Network Open.
Kathleen M. Joseph, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, is corresponding author of an original research article, “Hepatitis C Screening Among Persons Experiencing Homelessness in the Emergency Department: A Secondary Analysis of the Determining Effective Testing in Emergency Departments and Care Coordination on Treatment Outcomes (DETECT) for Hepatitis C (Hep C) Screening Trial,” published July 6 by Annals of Emergency Medicine. Ten co-authors are from our campus.
Andres Vazquez-Torres, PhD, Professor of Immunology and Microbiology, is corresponding author of a review article, “Salmonella uses sulfate reductases with unique catalytic activity to promote gut colonization in mice,” published August 5 by Nature Microbiology. Six co-authors are from our campus.
Suchitra Rao, MBBS, MSCS, Professor of Pediatrics, is corresponding author of an original investigation, “Effectiveness of Oseltamivir in Hospitalized Children With Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza, 2014-2023,” published August 10 by JAMA Pediatrics. Four co-authors are from our campus.
Jessica Ryder, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine; Charles Little, DO, Professor of Emergency Medicine; and Jason Persoff, MD, Professor of Medicine, are co-authors of an original investigation, “Implementation of Alternate Care Facilities During Public Health Emergencies: A Qualitative Study,” published August 5 by JAMA Network Open.
Kathleen M. Joseph, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, is corresponding author of an original research article, “Hepatitis C Screening Among Persons Experiencing Homelessness in the Emergency Department: A Secondary Analysis of the Determining Effective Testing in Emergency Departments and Care Coordination on Treatment Outcomes (DETECT) for Hepatitis C (Hep C) Screening Trial,” published July 6 by Annals of Emergency Medicine. Ten co-authors are from our campus.
Social Spotlight
In a new documentary, “A Tale of Two Hearts,” Jaime Belkind-Gerson, MD, MSc, shares his personal journey to bridge science and art despite the pressure and anxiety that often existed between the two. Visit the LinkedIn post to view more of Belkin-Gerson's art.
In Memoriam
Dr. Edward Goldson
Condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Edward Goldson, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, who passed away on July 20. Dr. Goldson was a beloved pediatrician who dedicated nearly 50 years to caring for children and families in Colorado. A leader in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, Dr. Goldson joined Children's Hospital Colorado in 1976 and became a respected clinician, educator, mentor, and advocate for children with developmental disabilities and those affected by maltreatment. He helped train generations of pediatric residents, developed educational programs for health care professionals, and authored more than 100 scholarly publications. Dr. Goldson received numerous honors throughout his career, including the James Strain Award, Colorado NAPNAP Physician of the Year, the Brandt Steele Award, and multiple recognitions as a 5280 Magazine Top Doctor. This tribute includes additional details about Dr. Goldson.
Dr. Anna Mae Mitchell Jackson
Condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Anna Mae Mitchell Jackson, PhD, who passed away on July 26 in McLean, Va. Dr. Jackson was born in Wetumpka, Ala., and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, but Colorado became the place where Dr. Jackson built the career that would influence generations of psychologists, physicians, students, and families. It was in Colorado that she became a mother, established her scholarly reputation, helped transform child psychology, and broke professional barriers that continue to inspire today. For more than two decades, Dr. Jackson was a member of the School of Medicine faculty, where she became Associate Professor of Psychiatry from 1976 to 1989 and Director of the Children’s Diagnostic Center. This tribute provides additional details about Dr. Jackson.
Have a good week,
John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA
Richard D. Krugman Endowed Chair
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
Dean, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
The Dean’s weekly message is an email news bulletin from John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA, Dean of the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, that is distributed to inform CU Anschutz School of Medicine faculty members, staff, students and others about issues pertaining to the school’s mission of education, research, clinical care and community service.
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