Victor J. Dzau Named Board Chair of the Association of Academic Health Centers

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Association of Academic Health Centers

Sep 26, 2011, 10:29 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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 chair of the board of directors of the Association of Academic Health Centers (AAHC) at its annual meeting held September 22-24 in Chicago, Illinois.

Previously chairman of medicine at Harvard Medical School as well as chairman of the Department of Medicine at Stanford University, Dr. Dzau has significantly impacted healthcare through his seminal research on the renin-angiotensin system and his pioneering leadership in the discipline of vascular medicine and biology. Internationally renowned as a leader in global healthcare strategy and delivery, Dr. Dzau believes that academic health centers must lead the transformation of medicine through innovation, translation, and globalization. The recipient of numerous national and international honors and recognitions, Dr. Dzau was recently honored with the prestigious Gustav Nylin Medal from the Swedish Royal College of Medicine as well as the Research Achievement Award of the American Heart Association. Dr. Dzau has chaired and serves on many professional committees and boards, including the Institute of Medicine Council of the National Academy of Sciences, as well as board governor of Health Industry of the World Economic Forum.

"The AAHC is privileged to have the opportunity to work under the leadership of Dr. Dzau," 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 nationally and globally."

Claire Pomeroy, MD, MBA, chief executive officer, UC Davis Health System, vice chancellor for human health sciences, and dean of the School of Medicine at the University of California, Davis, was elected to the position of chair-elect of the AAHC Board. A respected national thought leader in academic medicine and especially passionate in efforts to reduce health disparities, train the healthcare workforce of the future, and establish community partnerships, Dr. Pomeroy launched the Center for Reducing Health Disparities at UC Davis and oversaw the formation of Rural-PRIME, a program specifically designed to prepare physicians to practice in underserved rural communities. She serves on numerous professional boards as well as several nonprofit service organizations.

Newly elected to the board for three-year terms are: Ora Pescovitz, MD, executive vice president for medical affairs and CEO, University of Michigan Health System, University of Michigan; Paul Ramsey, MD, CEO, UW Medicine, executive vice president for medical affairs, and dean of the School of Medicine, University of Washington; and Wayne Riley, MD, MACP, MBA, MPH, president and CEO of Meharry Medical College.

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