Dr. Kirsch appointed Associate Dean for Veterans and Clinical Affairs
Jeffrey R. Kirsch, MD, was appointed Associate Dean for Veterans and Clinical Affairs in the OHSU School of Medicine, effective December 1, 2009. Dr. Kirsch will continue to serve as Professor and Chair in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine (APOM).
The responsibilities of this new position include advising the Dean on key issues related to the partnership between the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) and the School of Medicine. As noted in the recently issued Report of the Blue Ribbon Panel on VA-Medical School Affiliations (November 2009), the current focus nationwide on health care reform and systemic change in delivery systems offers unique opportunities to strengthen the VA-Medical School partnership. Dr. Kirsch will also be involved in developing metrics that help measure success and progress on specific clinical initiatives.
"The importance of the school's relationship with the VAMC cannot be overstated," said Dean Richardson. "I am confident that Jeff is the right person to help manage the education, research and clinical care aspects of this partnership and to explore new ways to streamline, expand and strengthen the relationship. Please join me in congratulating Jeff and welcoming him to this leadership role."
"I am excited by this leadership role because my passion is to support an environment where our patients receive the absolute best care in the country while also being sure that our clinical faculty are given the time and tools necessary to continue development of innovative scholarship and education excellence. OHSU is ideally positioned to assure that excellence in education and research is focused on world-class clinical care for Oregonians," said Dr. Kirsch.
Dr. Kirsch came to OHSU in December 2002 to assume the position of Chair of APOM. His interest and dedication to medical research and discovery has helped launch the department into the top tier of national funding. Dr. Kirsch's research interests include brain injury caused by stroke and the role of opioids in neuroprotection. He earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School and completed his residency and a fellowship in neuro-surgical anesthesiology and neuroscience critical care at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center. Dr. Kirsch currently serves as a member of the Anesthesiology ACGME Residency Review Committee and is Chair of the FDA Anesthetic and Life Support Drugs Advisory Committee. Dr. Kirsch was previously Chair of the OHSU Quality Executive Committee and Chair of the Professional Board.