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medical school dean finalists
From left, Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, Melissa Simon, T. Samuel Shomaker

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has identified three finalists for the position of dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). The finalists are scheduled for in-person visits over a two-day period that include meetings with faculty, staff, students, senior administrators and constituents, and a public presentation.

Campus and community members, as well as the general public, are encouraged to attend the public presentations. Information on time, room location and zoom link will be added to this story no later than the start of the first visit.

The campus visits for the three candidates have been scheduled as follows:

  • Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, MD, visiting January 29—30, 2024
    Interim Dean, Barry and Virginia Weinman Endowed Chair, and Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health,
    John A. Burns School of Medicine
    Public presentation: Tuesday, January 30, 1:30—2:45 p.m., JABSOM Library Stacks (webinar link to be posted by January 22)
  • Melissa Simon, MD, visiting February 13—14, 2024
    George H. Gardner Professor of Clinical Gynecology and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Founder/Director of the Center for Health Equity Transformation and Chicago Cancer Health Equity Collaborative; and Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, Northwestern University Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
    Public presentation: Wednesday, February 14, 1:30—2:45 p.m., JABSOM Library Stacks (webinar link to be posted by January 22)
  • T. Samuel Shomaker, MD, JD, visiting February 27—28, 2024
    Former Jean and Thomas McMullen Dean, College of Medicine and Vice President for Clinical Affairs, and Professor of Anesthesiology,
    Texas A&M Health Science Center
    Public presentation: Wednesday, February 28, 1:30—2:45 p.m., JABSOM Library Stacks (webinar link to be posted by January 22)

“The search advisory committee did a superb job in identifying finalists with both impressive, progressive leadership experience and disciplinary knowledge. I express my appreciation to them for their time, hard work and commitment to the search process. We look forward to meeting the candidates for the important role of dean of the state’s only medical school, critical to the training of high-quality physicians, scientists and health care professionals across the Pacific-Asia region,” said UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno. “As always, we encourage UH faculty, staff, students and the public to come out and meet the candidates, and we look forward to receiving their feedback.”

Following the visits and review of the feedback from the search advisory committee and others, Bruno will make a recommendation on this appointment to UH President David Lassner.

Visit the search website for more information about the search process, including a list of the members of the search advisory committee, candidate biographies and curriculum vitae, and updated schedules. Feedback on the candidates from UH and community members are valued; a feedback link will be posted on January 29 and close on March 6.

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