Press Release
February 22, 2007
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Anna Farneski
Phone: (973) 972-3000
farnesam@umdnj.edu
Dr. Vladeck Announces Restructuring
of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
- Plan One of Five Strategic Initiatives to Drive Clinical, Academic Achievement -
|
NEWARK—Dr. Bruce C. Vladeck, Interim President of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, today announced a restructuring of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in an effort to reinvigorate research and help drive academic and clinical achievement.
Under the plan, Kathleen W. Scotto, PhD, will serve in the newly combines roles of Vice President for Research and Interim Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. A Professor of Pharmacology and Senior Associate Dean for Research at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Dr. Scotto has served as Interim Vice President for Research at UMDNJ since March of 2006.
"By merging the positions of Dean of GSBS and Vice President for Research, I believe that we will have a more responsive research enterprise, and one that better integrates the training of basic scientists with the strategic priorities and daily operations of our other schools," said Dr. Vladeck. "Dr. Scotto has both the talent and vision to make this integration a success."
Concurrent with the restructuring, Dr. Vladeck also announced the appointment of Dr. Henry Brezenoff, who has served as Acting Dean of GSBS since 1997, to direct the University’s new Office of Health Science Outreach and Education.
The mission of the Office is to expand the knowledge and understanding of the general public about issues related to health and biomedical research, especially through programs directed toward teachers and students in grades K-12 through college. The Office will serve as an important external liaison for the University’s existing health career pipeline programs, including those serving disadvantaged and under-represented groups, and use its expertise to identify and obtain additional grant funding for UMDNJ’s efforts in these areas.
"Dr. Brezenoff has been a most effective leader and advocate for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, shepherding it through a period of unprecedented growth," said Dr. Vladeck. "He has forged strong relationships across each of the schools for the benefit of the students in his charge. Additionally he has worked to expand the University’s relationships and reputation with many external audiences who share his passion for education and the health sciences. It is because of this commitment to expanding UMDNJ’s role in shaping tomorrow’s researchers and healthcare providers that I am naming him to this new post."
UMDNJ is the nation's largest free-standing public health sciences university with more than 5,500 students attending the state's three medical schools, its only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing and a school of public health on five campuses. Annually, there are more than two million patient visits at UMDNJ facilities and faculty practices at campuses in Newark, New Brunswick/Piscataway, Scotch Plains, Camden and Stratford. UMDNJ operates University Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center in Newark, and University Behavioral HealthCare, a statewide mental health and addiction services network.
