Leadership Changes in the DOM and SOM

On March 5, Emory University’s Executive Vice President of Health Affairs Ravi I. Thadhani, MD, MPH, announced that David Stephens, MD, the long-term chair of the Department of Medicine, will step down on August 31, 2024. Our faculty, staff, and trainees want to show our deep appreciation for Dr. Stephens and his outstanding 11 years of service as our chair.

Under Dr. Stephens’ leadership from 2013 to 2024, the Department of Medicine grew to more than 800 faculty and nearly 600 staff, doubled its total research funding, and rose in NIH departmental funding rank to a high of 12^th in the nation. US News and World Report ranked the department 15^th in 2023, and Infectious Diseases ranks in the top 10–15 programs globally. The department initiated new programs in Represent, Support, Elevate (RYSE) — the department’s initiative in diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as the Clinical Distinctions Program, which has now been adopted SoM-wide. Dr. Stephens recruited new division leadership in Infectious Diseases, Hospital Medicine, Geriatrics, Digestive Diseases, and Pulmonary Medicine and worked in partnership with the Department of Surgery to launch the Medicine/Surgery Health Services Research Center.

New education initiatives were launched, including the medicine-pediatrics residency, and the internal medicine residency is ranked as a top-20 program nationally. The department leads national efforts in COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, clinical care, Long COVID, and in addressing COVID health disparities. The department is also a national leader in autoimmunity, heart and vascular medicine and is home to the Georgia CTSA. As he continues his role as Vice President for Research in the Woodruff Health Sciences Center, we remain deeply grateful for his exemplary leadership and dedication. In the fall of 2024, we will join to celebrate his tenure as Chair of Medicine. Dr. Stephens will continue his position full-time as Vice President of Research for the Woodruff Health Sciences Center and as the contact PI and Leadership Group chair of the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Consortium(IDCRC).

On September 1, Carlos del Rio, MD,  will begin his tenure as Chair of the Department of Medicine. Currently, Dr. del Rio is serving as the Interim Dean of the School of Medicine but will step down once our new dean, Sandra Wong, MD, joins Emory on March 22. Between March 22 and August 31, Dr. del Rio will serve in the position of Executive Associate Dean for Faculty and Clinical Affairs in the School of Medicine. In this capacity, Dr. del Rio will continue to provide executive strategic leadership for SoM activities including the effective use of interventional efforts to support faculty performance in collaboration with SoM Department Chairs. Dr. del Rio will play a pivotal role in the onboarding of Dr. Wong and will work closely with her as part of the dean’s leadership team to promote the integration of SoM missions across all health care system affiliation partnerships and agreements.

Dr. del Rio’s credentials speak volumes about his dedication to health care excellence and his commitment to advancing medical education and patient care. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2013 and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2022. With his extensive experience as a renowned physician, researcher, and educator, Dr. del Rio has demonstrated an unwavering passion for educating and training future generations of physicians while tirelessly advocating for marginalized populations. His exceptional leadership as interim dean over the past year has had a tremendous impact on our faculty, staff, and students, and I have every confidence that he will excel in his new role.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Carlos del Rio to his new roles and in expressing our sincere appreciation to Dr. David Stephens for his exemplary service and contributions to Emory University.

Overview of the SOM and DOM Leadership Transitions:

• March 21:
  • Carlos del Rio, MD, ends his time as Interim Dean of the School of Medicine
• March 22
  • Sandra Wong, MD, begins as Dean of the School of Medicine
  • Carlos del Rio, MD, begins as Executive Associate Dean for Faculty and Clinical Affairs
• August 31
  • David Stephens, MD, ends his time as Chair of the Department of Medicine
  • Carlos del Rio, MD, ends his time as Executive Associate Dean for Faculty and Clinical Affairs
• September 1
  • Carlos del Rio, MD, begins as Chair of the Department of Medicine