Stanford Report, April 26, 2006

Stevenson takes new post of vice dean

BY KRISTA CONGER

David Stevenson

Not every medical school has a vice dean. But Stanford School of Medicine's ambitious program of growth and change has created a need for additional senior leadership, according to Dean Philip Pizzo, MD.

As a result, Pizzo last month named David Stevenson, MD, the Harold K. Faber Professor of Pediatrics, to the new post of vice dean. Pizzo established the job in part to give added support to the newly launched Stanford Institutes of Medicine as they seek to carry out their mission of bringing the latest medical discoveries from the laboratories to the clinics.

Said Stevenson: "The unique contributions of the School of Medicine require broad-based alliances in the sciences and other disciplines for the translation of our scientific breakthroughs to improve human health and the delivery of health care. Our obligations in this regard are not just local or even national, but global in scope."

Together Pizzo and Stevenson will focus their attention not only on issues within the school, but also on strengthening existing community alliances and forging new connections locally and farther afield. They will also be working to develop and support new leaders within the medical school community.

Stevenson, a neonatologist, will coninue serving as senior associate dean for academic affairs, director of the Johnson Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Services and chief of the Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine. Widely recognized for his teaching as well as his research and clinical skills, he was the recipient in 2004 of both the Mentor Award for Excellence in Research Training from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Neonatal Education Award in Perinatal Pediatrics from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"Dr. Stevenson's span of knowledge and skill is broad," said Pizzo. "He has done a wonderful job in his current role and has led initiatives that have resulted in significant improvements in the organization and responsibilities of the professoriate, in improved clarity around the appointments and promotions process and in a heightened commitment to enhancing diversity and improving the quality of life of our faculty and staff. He has also played a pivotal role in dealing with challenging faculty issues—and has done so with a sense of fairness and transparency."