This has been another successful year at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.  We continue to admit and graduate outstanding students, mostly North Dakotans and about half of them from small towns.  We are very proud of our strong programs in family medicine and, for the second year in a row, UND is among the top ten (ranking fourth) U.S. medical schools in the percentage of our grads who choose to pursue a career in family medicine.

Our graduates are highly regarded, and are selected to continue their training in some of the nation’s finest medical centers and many return to practice in North Dakota.  In addition to family doctors, North Dakota needs many specialists, and we do our best to supply physicians with those talents for our state as well.

I am optimistic that during the next legislative session our state senators and representatives will support the recommendations of the Medical Center Advisory Council and the Board of Higher Education for some sign

Dean H. David Wilson, MD (center) received the Commonwealth Award Oct. 10 at a ceremony held in conjunction with the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Medicine Alumni Reunion and Family Weekend.  The award recognizes graduates of the medical school or residency program who have earned distinction for their leadership and contributions in medical care benefiting the college, state, nation and/or world.  He’s pictured with Michael Rankin, MD (left), president, UK Medical Alumni Association, and Jay Perman, MD, dean, College of Medicine and vice president for clinical affairs, University of Kentucky.

ificant investments in the school.  I believe our school is an excellent investment for the state and we will be able to accomplish much more with added resources for a new Center for Family Medicine in Bismarck and additional support for the training programs in family medicine, rural health, public health and promotion, and geriatrics.  These are good times for North Dakota and critical times for the medical school.

We have been successful in raising funds for endowments from alumni and friends.  These gifts and pledges will establish scholarships and endowed chairs and professorships for students and faculty.  We have an excellent faculty but we must have competitive salaries in order to attract and retain outstanding teachers and scientists.  As we all know, if you do not have excellent teachers, you do not have an excellent school. Our students and your future doctors deserve the very best.  Ultimately, patients benefit from the high quality of health care they receive from our graduates.

During this holiday season, I want to extend my very best wishes to all of you for a healthy and successful year now and in 2009.

Warmest regards, 

 

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