Dean's Letter

The changing of seasons makes me nostalgic; I think of this now because another academic year has passed at the medical school. It’s exciting to see the grass and trees open to the warmth of the early summer sun, and to watch the bluebirds in my yard as they forage for food to feed their chicks. There is a certain constant to it all, and I like the rhythm.

It occurred to me a few weeks ago that I feel the same way about Commencement. It is an annual marker, and a time when another group of medical students have earned the title of M.D.

Last month Dean Strinden, M.D. (B.S. Med. ‘50) and I hooded his granddaughter, Kirsten Juhl, Doctor of Medicine Class of 2007 (see picture), I had the immense pleasure of sharing this intimate moment within a family – the passing of the baton between one generation of doctor to another. The pride was obvious on Dr. Strinden’s face. As I watched, I could not help but wonder - how many lives had this man touched during his many years of practice at the Williston Clinic?  Dr. Strinden is one of the reasons this medical school has succeeded for more than 100 years, because it continues to educate and train the finest of medical professionals such as him, such as his granddaughter. Because this medical school continues to care! That’s reason for nostalgia.

Another is the continued list of achievements the school receives. I would like to take a moment and share some of those with you.

We have been ranked 4th of 125 medical schools in the percentage of our graduates choosing familiy medicine for post graduate training by the American Academy of Family Physicians for three years in a row. Congratulations Dr. Rob Beattie and staff for your hard work in building this department to national acclaim!

The Physical Therapy program received full accreditation from the American Physical Therapy Association Commission until 2017. The program had the highest recommendations from the accrediting committee, with four commendations and no deficiencies. Congratulations to Dr. Tom Mohr and his staff on this outstanding achievement!

The school was recently ranked 5th in the nation by U. S. News and World Report for its rural medicine program. We are immensely proud of this recognition, but more importantly, the school is proud of the service it provides for North Dakotans. Congratulations to Dr. Mary Wakefield and her staff for helping to make this state a better and safer place to live!

The medical school is constantly growing and improving, and we hope you will continue to invest in our efforts! I want to extend a special thank you to all of you who sent a gift to the school this past year – the number of alumni and friends who supported the medical school with a financial gift reached a new record high (there will be a full report in the December issue of North Dakota Medicine).  On behalf of the faculty and students I thank you!

H. David Wilson, M.D.

Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean

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