Mark Richardson, M.D., M.Sc.B., M.B.A., has been named dean of the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. Dr. Richardson has served as interim dean since September 2006 when the school’s former dean, Joe Robertson, M.D., M.B.A., was appointed OHSU president. Dr. Richardson is the 15th medical school dean.

“Dr. Richardson has done an excellent job in leading the OHSU School of Medicine during the past 9 months,” said Dr. Robertson. “His broad-based clinical, educational and research background combined with his experience in the Dean’s Office will help significantly to move OHSU forward and to implement the ambitious strategic planning goals the university has outlined.”

Prior to his appointment as interim dean, Dr. Richardson served as professor and chairman of the OHSU Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery from 2001 to 2006. Under his leadership, the department moved to a top-five ranking in grants received from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Richardson was recruited to OHSU from Johns Hopkins University where he served as the Bordley Professor of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, he spent 15 years on faculty at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Dr. Richardson is an active researcher, clinician and educator. He is a renowned surgeon with expertise in complex pediatric disorders. Dr. Richardson has received many awards, including the “Faculty Teaching Award” from the Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology and the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery’s “Honors Award.”

“Dr. Richardson’s experience will help the School of Medicine and the entire university move toward our goal of more fully integrating our missions and attaining sustainable innovation and excellence,” said Dr. Robertson.

“I am honored by this opportunity, especially at such a challenging, yet exciting time for medical education in Oregon,” said Dr. Richardson. “Over the past year, we have created new partnerships with hospitals, educators, providers and leaders across the state in order to expand our reach. These types of community partnerships are a key element in fulfilling OHSU’s mission to improve the health of all Oregonians.”

“I am also committed to finding innovative solutions to ensure that Oregonians have access to the highest-quality physicians across all 96,000 square miles of the state,” he added.

During his time at OHSU, Dr. Richardson has served in many key roles, including president of the OHSU Medical Board; member of OHSU oversight committee for South Waterfront operations; and numerous other search and special projects committees. 

Dr. Richardson earned his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, completed his surgical internship at the University of South Florida in Tampa, and completed his otolaryngology/head and neck surgery residency at the Medical University Hospital in Charleston. He completed a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at Children’s Hospital Medical center in Cincinnati, Ohio – an experience that included work at The Hospital for Sick Children in London, England. He earned his Master of Science in Business degree in 1998 and a Master of Business Administration degree in 2000 – both while at Johns Hopkins.

Dr. Richardson is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, The American Broncho-Esophagological Association, the Triologic Society, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology. He is a director of the Board of Otolaryngology and an examiner for certification of trainees. He is also an author: his latest book is titled Clinicians Guide to Pediatric Sleep Disorders. He is also consistently listed among “The Best Doctors in America.”

Dr. Richardson and his wife, Ellen, have two adult children. He enjoys the outdoors, fishing, golfing and exploring.