David Pieper, PhD, has joined the WSU School of Medicine as assistant dean for continuing medical education (CME). In this role, he directs continuing education activities for practicing physicians throughout metropolitan Detroit and the state. These programs are administered through the WSU School of Medicine, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

The WSU School of Medicine and the Detroit Medical Center hospitals currently offer more than 300 educational activities to 18,000 physician participants each year.  Most of these are regularly scheduled events such as grand rounds, but the CME department also organizes special  conferences such as a weekend meeting at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Dr. Pieper would like to expand the programs through greater use of distance learning technology and increased sponsorship of national and statewide medical conferences. He believes both of these objectives will help increase the visibility and enhance the reputation of Wayne State as a major research and teaching resource throughout the region and the country.

“Physicians begin their training in medical school,  but the learning continues throughout their entire career. I want to make sure Wayne State continues to serve the professional development needs of academic faculty, community physicians, and health professionals throughout the area,” said Dr. Pieper.

Robert Frank, MD, associate dean for academic and student programs, said, “We are extremely pleased to have David Pieper leading our CME efforts. He has exceptional qualifications and has worked in this environment for many years, giving him wonderful perspectives about what physicians hope to gain from their ongoing educational experiences. He works closely with the OHEP Center for Medical Education, with which we are affiliated, and he understands the needs of the physician groups we serve.”

Prior to his appointment as assistant dean, Dr. Pieper served the medical school as adjunct associate professor of physiology. Since 1998, he had been director of graduate medical education (GME) biomedical investigations and education programs at St. John Hospital and Medical Center. While there, he helped coordinate the research and training activities of 170 hospital residents and fellows.

From 1991 to 1998, he served as director of research and medical education at Providence Hospital, where he also held appointments as director of physiology and research and staff physiologist. He also served as an assistant and associate professor of biology at University of Detroit. Dr. Pieper earned a doctorate in physiology from Wayne State University, and he did postdoctoral training in reproductive endocrinology at the University of Michigan. He has published more than 50 journal articles and more than 90 abstracts.

He currently serves on the board of directors for the Michigan Association for Medical Education and the Michigan Society for Medical Research.