WMU brings med school dean candidates to campus

The three men who want to be the founding dean of Western Michigan University’s School of Medicine will visit campus and make public presentations in coming weeks.

They were chosen from among more than 60 candidates whose credentials were reviewed by a community search committee. The applicant pool was made up of medical educators from around the nation and included a number of deans, former deans or associate deans and a large number of clinical department chairs at the nation’s leading medical schools.

Each of the three candidates have previously visited campus. They are now returning for visits that involve meeting the public. The candidates will spend three days in Kalamazoo during which they will make a public presentation.

Dr. Robert A. Forse, professor and associate chair for surgical education at Creighton University School of Medicine, will give a public presentation at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, in Bronson’s Gilmore Auditorium.

Dr. Rubens J. Pamies, vice chancellor for academic affairs, dean for graduate studies and professor of internal medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, will give a public presentation at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, in Borgess’ Lawrence Education Center.

Dr. Hal B. Jenson, professor of pediatrics and regional dean for the Western Campus of the Tufts University School of Medicine, will give a public presentation at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, in Bronson’s Gilmore Auditorium.

Before each presentation there will be a half-hour informal “meet and greet” with the candidate. During each program, there will be an opportunity for those attending to pose questions to the candidates. A reception will follow each event.

The establishment of a medical school is a joint effort by WMU, Borgess Health and Bronson Healthcare.

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Cheryl Roland, WMU