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School of Medicine searches for new dean Robert Rich steps down as dean

Posted on Nov 23, 2009 in News

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Robert Rich, M.D., UAB senior vice president and dean of the School of Medicine announced the he will step down when the search for a successor is completed next year.

Rich, dean since 2004, said he feels that it is the right time to step down and do something new.

“I had originally planned to spend something in the neighborhood of five to six years in this position, and I’m in that window now,” he said.

He predicts that it will take close to a year to find a successor and plans to remain dean until the search is completed.

Rich’s next step is to spend time conducting research projects and possibly “walking the halls of Congress.”

“My current plan is to spend some time on a sabbatical for a while and during that time try to work on some policy issues, spend some time in Washington, and then come back to UAB,” said Rich.

When he returns to UAB, Rich plans to most likely serve as a senior advisor to President Garrison.

Rich has had many accomplishments in his five years as dean, including the development of a research strategic plan in 2006 that led to a $25 million annual increase in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Rich believes the development of the research strategic plan was one of his greatest accomplishments as dean.
“I think the most important thing was the helping to define and promote the research agenda of the School of Medicine,” said Rich.

Rich’s other achievements as dean include overseeing the school’s successful reaccreditation in 2006 for eight years and a restructuring of the medical school’s curriculum.

“I’m really pleased that the faculty really got behind an effort to restructure the medical school curriculum in a way that I think is much more likely to lead to long term retention and learning and really develop a commitment of our medical students to the idea that learning is a lifelong process,” said Rich.

UAB President Carol Garrison said that during his tenure, Rich has led successful searches for nine department chairs, “all highly sought-after academic leaders,” and has “infused the school’s leadership with diversity.”

“Bob Rich has given outstanding service to the school by implementing some very important initiatives, such as the recruitment of outstanding department chairs and the successful execution of a strategic plan for research,” Garrison said. “We are so grateful for his leadership and that he is staying on until a search can be concluded.”

Rich believes the School of Medicine will only continue to get better.

“This is one of the great schools of medicine in the country, and my hope is that the next dean takes it to a level of even greater eminence,” said Rich.

Rich said after all these years, he still finds the study and practice of medicine rewarding and recommends it to all undergraduate students still trying to decide on a career path.

“If you’re willing to do the work, you won’t find a more satisfying career. The idea that you are helping people and having the rewards of the kinds of relationships both with patients and with colleagues that a medical career affords you, it is a great way to spend your career,” said Rich.

Email: hncaygle@uab.edu

 




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