School of Medicine

News and Publications

October 13, 1004

Contact:
Public Affairs
Wayne State School of Medicine
P. 313-577-1429
prognosis@med.wayne.edu

Dean Crissman resigns as dean

Interim dean to be named pending national search

Dean John Crissman has informed WSU Provost Nancy S. Barrett that he will step down as dean of the School of Medicine, effective tomorrow, Oct. 15. After a professional leave of absence he will return to the faculty as a professor of pathology.

"Dr. Crissman has served the medical school and Wayne State University well," Provost Barrett wrote. "During his tenure as dean, he recruited several outstanding chairs to lead the clinical practices and established effective collaborative relationships between the university and medical community. The President, the Board of Governors, and I are genuinely grateful for his long service to the University."

In a letter, Dr. Crissman said he is proud to have served the school and was certain its legacy would continue to grow.

“I have had, and continue to have, the greatest respect and admiration for our faculty. I have never hesitated in my support of your academic endeavors, or in my personal mission to foster an environment of research productivity and excellence,” he wrote. “I am proud of the focus that has come to our research programs over the past five years: in cancer, maternal and child health, neurosciences, and urban health. I remain firm in my belief that a strong research portfolio is a critical component to our future success, and that focus of our scarce resources is essential.”

A search committee will be formed to find qualified candidates for Dr. Crissman’s successor. In the meantime, Provost Barrett requested recommendations for an interim dean. (Please send recommendations to Diane Gebard at dgebard@wayne.edu no later than October 20.)

The search process will be consistent with the contractual guidelines of the American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers, which specify that the search committee consist of elected representatives of the School of Medicine , representatives of the Detroit Medical Center and members appointed by the Wayne State University administration. The School of Medicine Faculty Senate will be contacted relative to the election of SOM faculty representatives.

As the search process moves forward, Provost Barrett will inform faculty about major developments.

? 2002 Copyright Wayne State University Board of Governors