Dear colleague:

Congratulations to Judy Regensteiner, PhD, professor of medicine and director of the Ludeman Family Center for Women’s Health Research, David Schwartz, MD, professor and former chair of medicine, and Dana Dabelea, MD, PhD, professor of epidemiology in the Colorado School of Public Health, who last week were among the newest members admitted into an elite club: Distinguished Professors of the University of Colorado. The title of Distinguished Professor is the highest honor that the University of Colorado bestows on its own faculty members. The title recognizes outstanding contributions of tenured faculty members to their academic disciplines. Only 129 CU faculty members have been granted the title of Distinguished Professor since the designation was established at CU in 1977. 

The CU Board Regents also approved a resolution of appreciation for Roderick Nairn, PhD, for his accomplishments and contributions since his appointment as provost of the University of Colorado Denver and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in July 2008. Rod led the initial accreditation of our consolidated campuses in 2011 and the recent reaccreditation this year. Rod transitioned to a new role as executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the Anschutz Medical Campus earlier this year and the resolution outlines a litany of valuable contributions Rod has made to CU and to the state of Colorado. 

Mark Deutchman, MD, professor of family medicine and associate dean for rural health, last week testified at the Colorado legislature’s Statewide Health Care Review Committee hearing. He offered an overview of the School of Medicine’s Rural Program, which has produced 191 graduates between 2009 and 2021. Mark’s advocacy and dedication to our Rural Program make him an excellent guide for lawmakers as they consider options to encourage training for other health professions to serve residents of rural communities in Colorado. 

Leslie A. Leinwand, PhD, will be receiving the American Heart Association’s 2021 Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award at the association’s Scientific Sessions 2021 meeting, which is being held virtually November 13-15. Leslie is chief scientific officer of the BioFrontiers Institute, and a Distinguished Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder, professor of in the Division of Cardiology at the CU School of Medicine, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor. She has mentored nearly 200 cardiovascular and physician scientists during the past 40 years. Many of her protégés are current cardiovascular leaders who hold the title of chief of cardiology, some have been internationally recognized for leading-edge research. 

The Office of Medical Education in the School of Medicine is seeking candidates for Alpine Curriculum Trail Director positions. The Trail Directors will create and implement curricula that focus on developing leadership and other strategic skills within the context of the specific trail for a cohort of post-clerkship (3^rd and 4^th year) medical students. Students are required to complete one of the four trails: bioethics and humanities; medical education; health systems and community leadership; or research. Each trail will have two co-directors. Applicants for this 0.1 FTE position must have a graduate level degree (MPH, MBA, MD, DO, PhD, JD, etc.) and a current appointment in the CU School of Medicine. The job posting includes a job description and a link for applications. Applicant review begins Thursday, November 18, and the position will remain open until filled. For questions, contact Jena James at Jena.James@cuanschutz.edu. 

The School of Medicine is beginning preparation for our next accreditation visit in academic year 2024-2025. An important first step is recruitment of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) Faculty Accreditation Lead. This individual manages the LCME self-study process, coordinates completion of the data collection instrument for the preparation of the self-study, charges and supports the student committee for the independent student analysis, leads the creation of the self-study report, and develops the survey visit schedule. The LCME Faculty Accreditation Lead will be the primary point of contact with the LCME Secretariat leading up to the site visit in academic year 2024-2025. Details and a link for applications is available in the job posting.

Have a good week,

John J. Reilly, Jr., MD
Richard D. Krugman Endowed Chair
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and
Dean, School of Medicine