Our move into the Health Sciences Building is complete! Indeed, we have been anticipating this opportunity to combine our educational campuses with the University for several years. The first classes of MD students were welcomed to University City in the beginning of August, joining students from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies and the College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Charles B. Cairns, MD
Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean
Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs
This is an incredibly exciting milestone for our school, one that represents a significant leap forward in our commitment to providing the highest-quality education and training for all our students. Bringing our nursing, allied health professional and medical students into one modern, state-of-the-art space offers immense potential for enhancing interprofessional relationships, fostering collaboration and cultivating the future landscape of medicine and science.
I am also very proud of the class of 2023, who graduated in May. The ceremony was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the achievements of our graduates and wish them well on the next phase of their journey. Having esteemed oncologist John H. Glick, MD, as keynote speaker and honorary degree recipient was a true privilege. I am equally proud to welcome the newest cohort of MD program and graduate students who are joining us this academic year. We are all eager to see what these new students will achieve and who they will become during their time at Drexel University College of Medicine.
Another set of important welcomes to new faculty leaders: Linwood Haith, MD, has been appointed academic chair of the Department of Surgery and associate dean for external affairs. Dr. Haith serves as the chief of burn surgery at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and is a nationally known academic and clinical leader in burn surgery. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, MEd, MPPM, has been appointed academic chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
A national champion for diversity and clinical excellence, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew also serves as senior vice president and enterprise chief of clinical diversity, equity and inclusion at Allegheny Health Network. At our regional campuses, Chinazor Umerah, MD, has been appointed associate regional dean of our Cape Fear Valley Health System campus. Dr. Umerah is a hospitalist who is board certified in internal medicine. Aditya Joshi, MD, will take on the associate regional dean role at the UPMC Harrisburg campus. Dr. Joshi is a psychiatrist, board certified in neurology and psychiatry.
Indeed, this has already been an historical and impactful year for our community, for all these reasons and many more. As we look ahead to the challenges we face and the successes we will enjoy in the future, our ability to adapt, grow and thrive has been and continues to be most fully realized when we work together.