Press Release

April 4, 2006
Contact: Anna Farneski
Phone: (973) 972-3000
farnesam@umdnj.edu

VLADECK RECOMMENDS INTERIM DEAN FOR STRATFORD
Dr. Thomas A. Cavalieri will head School of Osteopathic Medicine

NEWARK—Interim President Dr. Bruce C. Vladeck today recommended Dr. Thomas A. Cavalieri, DO, FACOI, FACP, interim dean of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Cavalieri will replace Dr. Michael Gallagher, current dean, who resigned last week, effective April 30.

"I am pleased to recommend Dr. Cavalieri for this position," said Dr. Vladeck. "His significant achievements in clinical service, education and research make him an ideal candidate to lead the School of Osteopathic Medicine. His leadership abilities, as well as the respect and support he has earned from his peers and the community at large, will serve him well as we move the school and the University forward."

As a geriatric educator and clinician, Dr. Cavalieri has lectured extensively and written numerous articles on the medical care of the elderly and has a special interest in medical ethics and end-of-life issues. He is currently Endowed Chair for Primary Care Research, professor of Medicine, and director of the New Jersey Institute for Successful at UMDNJ-SOM. Previously, he served as the chairman of the Department of Medicine and is the founding director of the Center for Aging. Dr. Cavalieri joined the school in 1981.

A principal investigator on numerous federal grants related to aging, faculty development in research, and physician training, Dr. Cavalieri’s helped UMDNJ-SOM became the first osteopathic medical school to receive a federal grant to support a geriatric fellowship program in medicine, dentistry, and psychiatry.

Dr. Cavalieri is has served as chair of the New Jersey Commission on Aging, and he is currently a member of state’s Drug Utilization Review Board. On the national level, he served as chairman of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners from 2001 to 2003, is immediate past president of the American College of Osteopathic Internists, and was president of the American College of Osteopathic Internists from 2004 to 2005. In 2003, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson appointed him to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration’s Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages, which he currently chairs.

"I am humbled that Dr. Vladeck has called upon me to assume this tremendous responsibility," said Dr. Cavalieri. "I have committed to him that I will do my very best to provide the necessary leadership to assure that our school continues to adhere to its mission during this difficult time."

"Because we have so many dedicated faculty and staff at UMDNJ-SOM, who are joined by our talented student body, I am optimistic that we will be successful in achieving our overarching goal of assuring quality healthcare for all New Jersey residents."

Dr. Cavalieri, 54, received his undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s College, and graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa. He resides in Mullica Hill with his wife, Donna, and their four children.

The Board of Trustees must approve Dr. Cavalieri's nomination. They are expected to consider it at their April 25 meeting.