The ranks of vice chairs serving the Department of Medicine with several new posts announced by Chair James K. Liao, MD, at faculty gathering in Room 5403 of the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson on April 12.
Dr. Liao started in his new position in January after arriving from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he was chief of the Section of Cardiology, the Harold Hines Jr. professor of medicine, and director of the Cardiovascular Research Program and Physician Scientist Development Program.
In introducing his new cadre of vice chairs, Dr. Liao offered each a chance to speak. Among them were:
Vice Chair of Quality
- Tejo Vemulapalli, MD, associate professor of Medicine and chief of the Division of Inpatient Medicine
Vice Chair of Research
- Janet K. Funk, MD, professor of Medicine (Division of Endocrinology), Nutritional Science, Physiological Sciences GIDP, Cancer Biology GIDP, and a member of the BIO5 Institute
Vice Chair of Education
- Amy Sussman, MD, professor of Medicine (Division of Nephrology), program director, Nephrology Fellowship, and director, Medicine Clerkship
Vice Chair of Faculty Development
- Serena Scott, MD, associate professor of Medicine (Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine)
Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Christian Bime, MD, MSc, associate professor of Medicine (Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine) and Clinical Translational Sciences, and medical director, Medicine ICU, Banner – University Medical Center Tucson
Vice Chair of Promotions
- Joseph A. Alpert, MD, a professor of Medicine (Division of Cardiology) and Clinical Translational Sciences, Sarver Heart Center member and past DOM chair
Vice Chair of Clinical Operations
- Mathew Hutchinson, MD, professor of Medicine (Division of Cardiology), director, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship Program, and director, Cardiac Electrophysiology Program, Banner – UMC Tucson
Drs. Funk, Bime, Scott, Alpert and Hutchinson are new to their vice chair posts and Drs. Bime’s, Scott’s, Alpert’s and Hutchinson’s vice chair positions are new.
Laura Meinke, MD, associate professor (Pulmonary division) and program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program – Tucson Campus, also was named associate vice chair of education.
A new post, yet to be filled, also was created for an associate vice chair over the Women’s Committee and wellness.
Dr. Liao also introduced new staff including Maryam Emami, PhD, who will serve as DOM biostatistician, David Mogollon, who returns to the department as communications manager, and Luis Benitez, who will serve as departmental data analyst.
He applauded success with the recent residency matches with seven UArizona medical students, 13 women (34% up from 23% a year earlier), and eight underrepresented in medicine candidates (21%).
Dr. Liao note a new web portal would be created for recruitment for a Physician Scientist Track that would offer 70-80% protected time for research. In-person Medicine Grand Rounds and a greater emphasis on speakers with prominent research backgrounds as well as a return to provision of lunches would begin in September, he added.
Dr. Liao also noted a new policy of clinical cancellations within six weeks would need the chair’s approval. And he discussed new visit wait times and his plans to improve ambulatory access to support clinical operations growth.
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