Search for College of Medicine Dean to start in mid-November
Central Michigan University's College of Medicine sits adjacent to the College of Health Care Professions, on the east side of campus.
Six months after the resignation of founding dean Ernest Yoder, Central Michigan University's College of Medicine is poised to name his successor by the end of January.
The College of Medicine sought applications, and nominations, for the position earlier in the year after Yoder resigned in June. Yoder stepped down after leadingthe college for four years. He made the decision after a self assessment was done by Yoder in consideration of what he could provide CMED in the future. Yoder said it was time for a leadership change as the college enters its new stages of development.
CMED is using a search firm to help identify and recruit candidates who meet the qualifications set by the search committee. Chair of the search committee, and dean of the College of Science and Technology, Ian Davison, said the committee's role is to recommend suitable candidates.
The 20-person search committee is made up people who hold positions within the College of Medicine, including hospital partners, physicians, students and research representatives.
¨The process that is in mid-November, based on the input from the consultants, is where the committee will recommend a list of candidates to attend an airport interview in Detroit in early December,” Davison said. "(The candidates) will meet with the search committee, provost and president.¨
The university does not plan to make public the names of those candidates who will meet with search committee members in Detroit. Davison said candidates are being given consideration in case they don't notify their employers about being a part of the CMED search.
¨The process is confidential up to this point because some candidates may not have disclosed to their current employers that they have applied,¨ Davison said. ¨However, the names and biographies of the on campus finalists will be announced to the campus community.¨
Michigan Freedom of Information Act lists only one exemption for university employment searches-- the president of the university. Typically, a search for a dean of a college would not be covered by the exemption under the law according to the state act, one of two known as Michigan's "Sunshine Laws." The other, Michigan's Open Meetings Act, prohibits job interviews for public positions to be held in closed sessions where the public is not allowed.
There are 10 qualifications candidates must meet:
- MD degree with a record of significant teaching experience, and a record of scholarship in a health field or in health education.
- Management and business/operational experience, including finances/budgets and strategic planning, successfully applied in a complex organizational context such as a hospital or academic health center.
- Ability to identify and articulate priorities in a wide variety of contexts, and to manage resources and guide their allocation to meet such priorities.
- Proven leadership abilities in the administration of a medical education program with a track record of successful collaborations.
- Administrative experience in medical education accreditation.
- Direct experience in clinical care with a demonstrated understanding of the elements that contribute to excellence in clinical practice and patient care.
- Demonstrated ability in the recruitment, development and retention of undergraduate and graduate medical education personnel.
- Demonstrated ability to grow new successful clinical programs and recruit and retain talented faculty for the school of medicine.
- Track record of community engagement and successful fund-raising efforts.
- Commitment to excellence on both a personal and professional level, with the highest level of personal integrity and ethical standards, and with an established reputation for compassion, fairness and objectivity.
¨Candidates really need strong experience as a dean or associate dean of a medical university,” said CMED Director of Marketing and Communications, Jim Knight. ¨With that they’re going to need a lot of finance experience and communication skills.¨
Aside from academic and financial experience, the committee will be looking for key characteristics to lead the college.
¨This college has a mission to improve health care in Michigan but with an emphasis on underserved regions,¨ Knight said. ¨The dean has to have a personal commitment to provide practices in rural areas and maintaining relationships with the clinics we have placed all over the state.¨
Final candidates will be invited to attend on-campus interviews in early Jan. 2015.
An emphasis on the management and guidance for the innovative and distinctive medical curriculum the college plays a large factor in picking a dean for the College of Medicine. The prospect must understand the case-based and team-based learning approach the college implements.
The committee will make recommendations based on perceived strengths and weaknesses the will be considered by the provost. Provost Michael Gealt and President George Ross will make the final hiring decision after all on-campus interviews are through.
