Dean Richardson has appointed Anita Taylor, MA, Ed., to the new position of Assistant Dean of Student Development. Taylor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and the Director of Career Advising, Office of Student Affairs in the School of Medicine.

This Assistant Dean position is responsible for supporting the individual success of MD and MD/PhD students, including helping to pair students with faculty advisors, developing career advising programs, provide one-on-one advising and related initiatives.

“The creation of this position is a reflection of the importance the School of Medicine of ensuring that we have the resources in place to support the success of all of our students,” said Dean Mark Richardson. “It is also an affirmation of the great work that Anita has done in creating these advising and mentoring programs thus far for our MD students.”

A graduate of Bryn Mawr College with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and Wake Forest University with a Master of Arts degree in Education and Counseling, Taylor is also a Certified Medical Assistant. In 2000, she received a OHSU Faculty Excellence in Education Award. The American Academy of Family Physicians awarded her Honorary Membership in 2004 and in April 2007 she received the Excellence in Education Award from the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. Taylor joined the OHSU faculty in 1989.

The author of more than 40 articles in the medical literature, she has spoken on medical career planning and faculty development at international, national, and state meetings. The 5th edition of her book, “How to Choose a Medical Specialty,” will be published in 2011.

“I am pleased and honored by this appointment,” said Taylor. “I am enthusiastic to continue my efforts which are aimed at ensuring that our exceptional medical students are positioned to succeed in their chosen career. It is very rewarding work.”