Health Science Center Appointments

Charles E. Young, President

I am pleased to announce two new appointments at the University of Florida Health Science Center: Dr. Douglas Barrett, who currently serves as chair of the department of pediatrics at UF’s College of Medicine, has been named vice president for health affairs (VPHA), and Dr. C. Craig Tisher, who currently serves as senior associate dean of medicine, has been named interim dean for the College of Medicine.

The appointment of a separate vice president for health affairs and dean for the College of Medicine represents a new approach to the administration of the Health Science Center. As chief health science officer for the University of Florida, the VPHA is responsible for the general academic and administrative functions of six colleges: Dentistry, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine. In addition, the VPHA will recommend the state and E&G budgets, oversee strategic planning, and finalize and modify each college’s spending plan, in cooperation with the respective deans and with the support and concurrence of the provost.

The VPHA also serves as a permanent member of the boards of directors for Shands HealthCare and Shands-Jacksonville. Dr. Barrett’s appointment is effective April 1.

As dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Tisher will manage the day-to-day activities of the unit, including teaching, research, clinical enterprise operations, and community services throughout the state of Florida. The dean also serves on the Shands HealthCare and Shands-Jacksonville boards of directors.

The College of Medicine, which has 23 departments, recently moved up from 56th to 48th among the nation’s medical schools in total grant support from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Tisher’s appointment begins March 30.

Both Dr. Barrett and Dr. Tisher bring a wealth of professional and administrative experience to these posts. I am confident that under this model and with their leadership, the University of Florida will continue to be a major force in the health sciences.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Barrett and Dr. Tisher on their new assignments.