El-Sawi leaves College of Medicine, nationwide replacement search to begin ‘soon’

Dr. Nehad El-Sawi has resigned her position with the Central Michigan University College of Medicine.

El-Sawi, who was the associate dean for medical education and faculty development, tendered her resignation effective Jan. 25, according to an internal e-mail sent by Provost E. Gary Shapiro Friday morning.

Steve Smith, director of public relations, said El-Sawi’s departure is a personnel issue.

“We are limited in what we can say in these matters,” Smith said.

A national search to find El-Sawi’s replacement will begin “soon,” he said.

Dr. Ernest Yoder, founding dean of the College of Medicine, said El-Sawi’s departure was not “acrimonious.”

“I can’t comment on her reasons for deciding to leave,” Yoder said. “It was her choice; she resigned.”

The accreditation the College of Medicine has received will not be affected with her departure, and Yoder said her former job responsibilities have been reassigned until her replacement is hired.

The College of Medicine also is looking to begin hiring faculty, which is a key part of the currently vacant associate dean position. Yoder said El-Sawi led the faculty search team for hiring faculty, but the process will not slow.

“Hiring decisions lay with the dean’s team, the five of us, and interviews for new faculty are scheduled,” Yoder said.

El-Sawi could not be reached for comment.

Her position was originally announced by Shapiro on May 10 and was slated to have a yearly salary of $200,000.