We ended another successful academic year at a wonderful, joyous Commencement celebration in May. We had a record number of graduates, including the first class graduating from our West Reading Campus! It was a pleasure to see so many members of our community in person as we celebrated the Class of 2025 and all of their achievements.
Charles B. Cairns, MD
Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean
Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs
As we say farewell to those graduates and prepare to welcome new students in August, we remain hard at work on securing a successful future via our College Forward and Strategic Plan 2030 process. I am grateful to the more than 60 faculty who engaged in our Phase 1 work, including a SWOT analysis and recommendations for areas to focus on within our four pillars:
- Medical and Graduate School Education
- Research and Innovation
- Drexel Medicine and Clinical
- Faculty Affairs and Development
Phase 2 began in May with the formation of working groups and an implementation planning process. I also extend sincere thanks to those who volunteered to serve on these groups, as well as to everyone who submitted feedback via our online form. Phase 3 will include further implementation of the plan and continuous quality improvement over a five-year period.
I am also excited about the unprecedented opportunity for collaboration as our integration of Salus University is finalized in the coming months. As we welcome a prestigious Physician Assistant Studies program, we are eager to work with all the global, interprofessional and specialized educational programs that are joining our College. I would like to extend the warmest welcome to everyone at Salus University who have become part of our Drexel community — faculty, professional staff, students and alumni. We are proud to have you.
Please join me in congratulating the esteemed faculty who have accepted emeritus status, including Drs. Itzhak Fischer, Timothy Cunningham, Richard Huneke, Donna Russo, Ilya Rybak, Francis Sessler, Kenny Simansky and Michael White. Please also join me in thanking them for decades of commitment to the College of Medicine and its missions. Indeed, we are saying goodbye to a number of longtime faculty members and professional staff who have chosen to retire. Their contributions to our community have touched all of us in so many critical areas, and I am very grateful for their years of service.
While times of transition can present serious challenges, they also serve as an opportunity for growth and innovation, energizing and preparing us for what comes next. I sincerely thank you all for being part of our vibrant Drexel University College of Medicine community.
Charles B. Cairns, MD
Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean
Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs