Larry J. Shapiro Named Board Chair of the Association of Academic Health Centers

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Association of Academic Health Centers

Sep 27, 2010, 11:03 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Larry J. Shapiro, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean, Washington University School of Medicine, president, Washington University Medical Center, and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor at Washington University, was elected chair of the board of directors of the Association of Academic Health Centers (AAHC) at its annual meeting held September 23-25 in Dallas, Texas.

An internationally renowned research geneticist and pediatrician, Dr. Shapiro is recognized for his significant research in human genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Prior to his appointments at Washington University in 2003, Dr. Shapiro was the W.H. and Marie Wattis Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine (IoM) of the National Academy of Sciences and currently serves on the IoM Council, and he is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. "I am both delighted and privileged to have the opportunity to work under the leadership of Dr. Shapiro," said Dr. Steven A. Wartman, AAHC President and CEO. "He is not only an outstanding leader with impressive credentials but is also dedicated to advancing the AAHC's mission of improving health and well-being through the work of academic health centers in health professions education, research and patient care."

Victor J. Dzau, MD, chancellor for health affairs, Duke University, president and CEO, Duke University Health System, and the James B. Duke Professor of Medicine was elected to the position of chair-elect of the AAHC Board. Dr. Dzau has significantly impacted healthcare through his pioneering research on cardiovascular therapy, and more recently, his leadership in healthcare strategy and innovation. His vision is that academic health centers must lead the transformation of medicine through innovation, translation, diffusion, and globalization.

The recipient of numerous national and international honors and recognitions, Dr. Dzau was recently honored with the establishment of the "Victor J. Dzau Professorship in Medicine" at Harvard. Dr. Dzau has chaired and serves on many professional committees and boards, including the IoM Council of the National Academy of Sciences, and he is currently a member of the Global Agenda Council as well as Governor (Health) of the World Economic Forum.

Newly elected to the board for three-year terms are: Wilsie S. Bishop, DPA, MSN, vice president for health affairs and university chief operating officer, East Tennessee State University; William F. Owen, Jr. MD, president, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; and Harold L. Paz, MD, senior vice president for health affairs, dean of the College of Medicine, and chief executive officer, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University.

The AAHC is a national non-profit association dedicated to advancing the nation's health and well-being through the vigorous leadership of academic health centers.

www.aahcdc.org

SOURCE Association of Academic Health Centers