Dr. Robert R. Frank, associate professor of medicine and associate dean for academic and student programs at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has been named interim dean, effective Oct. 25. He succeeds Dr. John Crissman, who stepped down recently as dean.

Dr. Frank has been a member of the School of Medicine faculty since 1977 and, as associate dean, has guided the shaping of a comprehensive medical curriculum. He also is currently leading a drive to raise funds for construction of a new medical education building at the school.

“We are pleased that Dr. Frank has agreed to lead the School of Medicine during this exciting time of transition and progress,” said Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid. “His longtime association with the medical school, as both a faculty member and key administrator, further equips him for this important role as interim dean.”

According to Nancy Barrett, Wayne State provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, Frank will provide the necessary leadership to maintain the school's missions of education, research and patient care while a national search is conducted for a permanent dean.

"I am confident that Dr. Frank will provide the vision and direction to keep the school on its charted path of growth during this interim period,” Dr. Barrett said.

Dr. Frank's major clinical interests are in geriatrics and end-of-life care. He was the chief of medicine at Detroit Receiving Hospital from 1983-1985 and he co-founded the Palliative Care Service at the hospital.

He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Brandeis University and entered Wayne State University as a medical student in 1968. He served his internship and was chief medical resident at Detroit General Hospital.

A Wayne State University study has shown that birth controlls may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers, led by Dr. Rahi Victory, a fellow in the WSU Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, and Dr. Michael Diamond, associate chair of obstetrics and gynecology, used the Women's Health Initiative database -- the same federal study that led to a better understanding of the risks posed by hormone-replacement therapy -- in their research.

In one study, Dr. Victory examined the records of more than 161,000 women, of whom 26,000 had been attempting conception without success for a year. Using a variety of statistical techniques, it was discovered that women with a prior history of infertility ran a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as tubal pregnancy, miscarriage or stillbirth.

The team then investigated the WHI database to examine the relationship between oral contraceptive use and cardiovascular health. The WHI database included some 67,000 women who used birth control pills. They found a strong relationship between OC use and reduced risk of multiple cardiovascular disease-related outcomes, including any cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, angina, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, peripheral vascular disease, and need for cardiac catheterization. The data showed that increasing age, elevated body mass index and smoking, greatly increased the risks, even in OC users.

The scientists used the same database to examine the history of gynecological cancers among those 67,000 birth-control pill users. There were a total of 14,849 cancers found in that group. The team concluded that a history of oral contraceptive use significantly reduces cancer risks.

J. Michael Bishop, M.D., winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, told a packed house Friday of his transformation from a small-town boy to a celebrated microbiologist in an appearance at Scott Hall last Friday.

Dr. Bishop, author of "How to Win a Nobel Prize: An Unexpected Life in Science," discussed how the humanities have influenced his life as a scientist.

"We must all of us think more of dreaming and helping the dreamer," he said. "In dreaming is our salvation."

Dr. Bishop won the Nobel Prize for research explaining the process by which normal cellular genes can be mutated into cancer genes. His appearance was made possible by the WSU Academy of Scholars, the Perinatology Research Branch and the WSU School of Medicine.

To view this lecture, please check the Streaming Video site for the WSU School of Medicine at http://www.med.wayne.edu/news_media/streamingmedia/somevents/index.asp.

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D.-Mass., discussed the nation's health-care crisis at Scott Hall Thursday on behalf of the Kerry/Edwards presidential campaign. The senator was invited by MPAC, a WSU School of Medicine student group. An invitation was also extended to the 2004 Bush/Cheney campaign, but an appearance has not yet been confirmed. Of health-care, Sen. Kennedy said, "It's not just a public policy issue; it's a moral issue." To view the full program, including appearances by several other prominent national and local politicians, please check the Streaming Video site for the WSU School of Medicine at http://www.med.wayne.edu/news_media/streamingmedia/somevents/index.asp.

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D.-Mass., will speak at Scott Hall today at the invitation of MPAC, a WSU School of Medicine student group. The senator will speak on behalf of the 2004 Kerry/Edwards Campaign regarding health-care issues.

A representative from the 2004 Bush/Cheney Campaign has been invited, but has not yet confirmed.

The talk will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., tonight, in Scott Hall's Jaffar Auditorium.

Pending an appointment of an interim dean, WSU Provost Nancy S. Barrett has appointed Chief Administrative Officer Michael Herbert acting dean of the WSU School of Medicine.

Dr. Barrett stated in a memo Monday that she hopes to appoint an interim dean within the next two weeks. In the meantime, she continues to seek recommendations and advice on candidates for this post.

To send Dr. Barrett a recommendation for interim dean, please email Diane Gebard at dgebard@wayne.edu by the end of today, Oct. 20.

J. Michael Bishop, M.D., winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize in Physiology of Medicine, will discuss his transformation from a small-town boy to a celebrated microbiologist in an appearance at Scott Hall on Friday, Oct. 22. Dr. Bishop will sign copies of his book, "How to Win a Nobel Prize: An Unexpected Life in Science," following his talk.

Dr. Bishop, who won the Nobel Prize for research explaining the process by which normal cellular genes can be mutated into cancer genes, started his education in a two-room school in York, Pa. He went on to attend Gettysburg College and had planned to attend medical school at the University of Pennsylvania until a dean there suggested he accept admission at Harvard instead. Dr. Bishop worked and studied with a series of several talented scientists before one of them recruited him in 1968 to the University of California, San Francisco, where he now serves as chancellor.

Dr. Bishop has said that he is "as devoted to teaching as to research: I find the two vocations equally gratifying." In addition, Dr. Bishop is a voracious reader and an ardent music lover; if offered reincarnation, he said he would prefer the life of a performing musician.

This lecture, sponsored by the WSU Academy of Scholars, the Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, and the WSU School of Medicine, is free and open to all members of the WSU community. It will be at 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 22, in the Blue Auditorium of Scott Hall.

Interim dean to be named Monday pending national search

Dean John Crissman has informed WSU Provost Nancy S. Barrett that he will step down as dean of the School of Medicine, effective tomorrow, Oct. 15. After a professional leave of absence he will return to the faculty as a professor of pathology.

"Dr. Crissman has served the medical school and Wayne State University well," Provost Barrett wrote. "During his tenure as dean, he recruited several outstanding chairs to lead the clinical practices and established effective collaborative relationships between the university and medical community. The President, the Board of Governors, and I are genuinely grateful for his long service to the University."

In a letter, Dr. Crissman said he is proud to have served the school and was certain its legacy would continue to grow. (Click here to view the letter in full.)

“I have had, and continue to have, the greatest respect and admiration for our faculty. I have never hesitated in my support of your academic endeavors, or in my personal mission to foster an environment of research productivity and excellence,” he wrote. “I am proud of the focus that has come to our research programs over the past five years: in cancer, maternal and child health, neurosciences, and urban health. I remain firm in my belief that a strong research portfolio is a critical component to our future success, and that focus of our scarce resources is essential."

A search committee will be formed to find qualified candidates for Dr. Crissman’s successor. In the meantime, Provost Barrett requested recommendations for an interim dean. (Please send recommendations to Diane Gebard at dgebard@wayne.edu no later than October 20.)

The search process will be consistent with the contractual guidelines of the American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers, which specify that the search committee consist of elected representatives of the School of Medicine, representatives of the Detroit Medical Center and members appointed by the Wayne State University administration. The School of Medicine Faculty Senate will be contacted relative to the election of SOM faculty representatives.

As the search process moves forward, Provost Barrett will inform faculty about major developments.

 

Dear Colleagues,

It is with some sadness and great regret that I inform you that I have resigned my position as Dean of the School of Medicine, effective October 15.

I am proud of the School's continuing legacy to unsurpassed quality in undergraduate medical education and graduate training. The educational opportunities for our students are outstanding, and will continue to thrive as the school moves forward with our plan to build facilities to enhance the student experience.

I have had, and continue to have, the greatest respect and admiration for our faculty. I have never hesitated in my support of your academic endeavors, or in my personal mission to foster an environment of research productivity and excellence. I am proud of the focus that has come to our research programs over the past five years: in cancer, maternal and child health, neurosciences, and urban health. I remain firm in my belief that a strong research portfolio is a critical component to our future success, and that focus of our scarce resources is essential.

As affirmed with the recent contract agreement between the university, the University Physician Group and the DMC, I firmly believe in the partnership between our institutions and strongly support a combined strategic planning effort. I also believe that it is imperative that our faculty practice continue to explore a path toward fiscal independence and unified strength. It is toward this end I have struggled to provide the leadership that will allay our fiscal vulnerability and enhance our opportunities to support programs and recruitment essential for stability.

In a large enterprise such as ours—with 900 full time faculty, among the largest student bodies in the country, a research portfolio of $132 million and a budget of more than half a billion dollars; with a commitment to educating physicians and scientist of the highest caliber; and with a mission to uphold the health of our greater community—it is perhaps too easy to lose sight of the forest for the trees. It is impossible, in times of financial uncertainty and tightening budgets, to appease all interests. I believe, however, that I have remained steadfast to strengthen our position as the key partner in this academic medical center and to push our progress toward becoming one of the premier medical schools in the country. 

The challenges facing our School, the medical center, the university and my successor, are formidable. The school cannot allow the interests of those whose stake in our work holds little understanding or regard for our missions to override our chartered course toward preeminence. I believe our future depends on a clear and united vision.

I appreciate the opportunity to have worked on your behalf as dean for the past five years, and I remain committed to the success of the School of Medicine in all its endeavors.

Sincerely,

John Crissman, MD

Pending Wayne State University approval, the WSU School of Medicine, Wayne State University Physician Group and Detroit Medical Center have reached a tentative agreement to extend critical contracts for one year.

The agreement, reached last week, is the culmination of several months of negotiations to renew contracts related to reimbursement for physician-educator services for the WSU-DMC graduate medical education program; direct patient-care activity; medical administration and professional services for DMC clinical programs. Current contracts are scheduled to expire on March 31.

"Today I am pleased to report positive progress in renewal of our longstanding relationship with the Detroit Medical Center," Dean John Crissman wrote in a memo to School of Medicine faculty last week. "Although our original goal was a three-year contract renewal, our tentative one-year extension comes with a pivotal opportunity to create a true partnership between our institutions."

As part of the agreement, the school and UPG have agreed to enter into a strategic planning process with the DMC facilitated by a nationally respected consulting firm. The process will define the institutions' partnership as well as the next set of three-year agreements and financial arrangements.

 

J. Michael Bishop, M.D., winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, will discuss his transformation from a small-town boy to a celebrated microbiologist in an appearance at Scott Hall on Friday, Oct. 22. Dr. Bishop will sign copies of his book, "How to Win a Nobel Prize: An Unexpected Life in Science," following his talk.

Dr. Bishop, who won the Nobel Prize for research explaining the process by which normal cellular genes can be mutated into cancer genes, started his education in a two-room school in York, Pa. He went on to attend Gettysburg College and had planned to attend medical school at the University of Pennsylvania until a dean there suggested he accept admission at Harvard instead. Dr. Bishop worked and studied with a series of several talented scientists before one of them recruited him in 1968 to the University of California, San Francisco, where he now serves as chancellor.

Dr. Bishop has said that he is "as devoted to teaching as to research: I find the two vocations equally gratifying." In addition, Dr. Bishop is a voracious reader and an ardent music lover; if offered reincarnation, he said he would prefer the life of a performing musician.

This lecture, sponsored by the WSU Academy of Scholars, the Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, and the WSU School of Medicine, is free and open to all members of the WSU community. It will be at 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 22, in the Blue Auditorium of Scott Hall.