October 1, 2021
Dear friends,
As interim dean of the UNM School of Medicine, I feel it important to highlight a few of our priorities during this transition and to thank key players who are working on the national dean search and other School of Medicine priorities.
First, I extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Martha Cole McGrew. I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. McGrew for many years and she has always been a warm, thoughtful and approachable leader. Her contributions to Family and Community Medicine and to the SOM overall are too many to name and I know her presence will continue to be felt long after her departure to her next adventure. Thank you, Dr. McGrew.
During this transition, we continue our keen focus on our universal priorities of clerkship grading and assessment review, positive learning environments, diversity outreach and residency and fellowship accreditations. I am committed to continuing to move these issues forward and I thank those in the School of Medicine and at the Health Sciences Center who are working on these critical matters.
The national search for the next dean of the School of Medicine is underway. I encourage you to visit our dean search site for more information.
This time of transition comes during an incredibly busy period in our clinical delivery system. It cannot be said enough how grateful we are for the work our entire community of clinical, basic science and administrative faculty and staff are doing. Our hospitals are operating above capacity and in very strenuous situations.
Thank you to our department chairs and school deans who have worked with me to make this transition as smooth as possible and who are deeply committed to our collective success.
Thank you,
Michael Richards, MD, MPA
Interim Dean, UNM School of Medicine
Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs, UNM Health