MD Class of 2012

It has been an exciting summer at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences beginning with our Commencement; 59 graduates received their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees. They made excellent decisions regarding their choices for residency training at some of the nation’s very best programs.

We enjoyed an outstanding Commencement address by Rod Rohrich, MD (BS Med ‘77), a Zeeland, ND, native who is professor and chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. Rohrich, a Sioux Award winner who graduated from the UND School of Medicine in 1977, is recognized internationally for his work in plastic and reconstructive surgery. He offered valuable advice to our graduates as they move to the next phase in their medical careers.

We also welcomed the MD Class of 2012 a few weeks back. There are 62 students in this class, including 36 women and 26 men. I always get a special sense of joy and pride during the White Coat ceremony, when I give the incoming class members their white coats, the symbol of their new status and responsibilities as medical students. It’s always a special treat, too, to meet the students and their families and friends at the picnic we host for them at the medical school following the ceremony.

Ed Sauter, MD, PhD, a renowned breast cancer surgeon and researcher, arrived this summer to take over as associate dean for research. We are so happy to have his expertise as we pursue goals in basic and translational research.

We’re interviewing top candidates to fill the positions of the excellent leaders, Edward Carlson, PhD, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, and Roger Melvold, PhD,  Department of Microbiology and Immunology. We’ve hired a well-regarded national firm to help us attract and hire someone for the Eva Gilbertson Endowed Chair of Geriatrics.

I remain very busy with these duties plus my final meetings as chair of the Council of Deans of the Association of  American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Additionally, at the AAMC convention in November, I’ll be assuming the role of past chair on the various committees.

I’m continuing to serve on the evaluation survey teams reviewing medical schools for the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. I felt deeply honored to be selected earlier this year for the Commonwealth Award from the College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky. It’s most gratifying to be recognized by one’s peers.

This year’s Homecoming has special meaning for us at the School of Medicine because Allen Van Beek, MD (BS Med ’66), one of our most distinguished alums and an internationally renowned expert in reconstructive surgery, is being honored with the Sioux Award. Congratulations, Allen!

H. David Wilson, MD Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean