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Dear School of Medicine Community,
Welcome back from the holidays, and welcome to the Year 2023 at the University of Maryland School of Medicine! I so look forward to working hard together this new year as we emerge from the tailwinds of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is time to gather together again, roll up our sleeves, and tackle the many generational challenges we face. Our roles in education, mentorship, patient care, and advancing discovery research have never been more meaningful.
Updates on new leadership
Speaking of new beginnings, I want to announce a couple of new pivotal leadership appointments for the School of Medicine. First, I am pleased to announce that together with the University of Maryland Medicine Center, we have named Heather Culp, JD as our new joint Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer. Heather brings more than 15 years of experience advising comprehensive fundraising campaigns for academic institutions. Most recently, she served at Johns Hopkins University where she led all aspects of fundraising for the Department of Neurology and Brain Sciences. In her new leadership role, Heather will provide overarching strategic guidance and vision for the fundraising efforts of UMMC Downtown and Midtown campuses, UMSOM, and the University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute. She will represent both UMMC and UMSOM philanthropy efforts while strengthening the partnership and alignment across both organizations. Please be sure to give Heather a warm welcome when you meet her!
In addition, Dr. David Marcozzi, Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Chief Clinical Officer/Senior Vice President of UMMC, is now also serving as the Associate Dean for UMMC Clinical Affairs. He has an acute understanding of Maryland healthcare economics, expansive knowledge of the cost/quality continuum, and an exceptional ability to lead and support his colleagues. I look forward to his leadership as we partner with UMMC to improve our quality and efficiency of care. A major focus for us over the coming months will include reducing hospital length of stay and preventing readmissions by enhancing outpatient clinic access and the continuum of high-quality care. You can read more about his new role here.
We have several other significant leadership positions to fill in 2023, including a new Chair for the Department of Dermatology, for which we’ve charged a search committee, as well as a new Director for the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. We recognize and appreciate Dr. Kevin Cullen’s historic leadership of our cancer center and thank him for continuing to serve as faculty, for helping with this important leadership transition, and for developing our strategy towards renewal of our NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center in two years. I am also working with UMB leadership to recruit our first-ever Associate Vice President for Community Health to lead our community health efforts. I am very much looking forward to finding new ways to serve our communities and help them thrive for an ultimately healthier Maryland, and this position will be critical in making that happen.
Welcome back again, and I look forward to an exciting and eventful year together!
With enthusiasm and commitment,
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