Dear Friends,

It is with a heavy heart THAT I write my final column to you as dean of the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences.  After 14 exciting years, I’m handing over the reins, doing some traveling, and starting a new position as dean of the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, effective July 1.  It has been an amazing, life-changing, thought-provoking journey and, for that, I share my appreciation.

I’d first like to thank former UND President, Kendall Baker, for hiring me, and former UND president, Charles Kupchella, for his long-standing support for me and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

My sincere and heartiest thanks to current and former faculty and staff; together, we have built a terrific school for many generations to come.  Together, we changed the name of the school, instituted a unique and modern curriculum, propelled the research mission, strengthened rural health and preventive medicine, and added new research, education and clinical facilities.  For all of that, I’m very proud.

Finally, to our students and alumni, I am so proud of you.  As successful health care professionals in communities across North Dakota and the United States, you embody the school’s mission of preparing students for service and advancing knowledge through research.

The reputation of this institution is held in high esteem across the country.  This is evident by our recent ranking as a top school for rural medicine by U.S. News & World Report.  It has been the highlight of my professional career and a great honor to serve as your dean. Many thanks, as I leave you with this old Irish blessing:

 May the road rise up to meet you,
 may the wind be always at your back,
 may the sun shine warm upon your face,
 and the rain fall softly on your fields.

Until we meet again,

 

 

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