Leslie E. Kahl, MD, appointed Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives

Education
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1974186

Dr. KahlLeslie E. Kahl, MD, has been appointed Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives in the OHSU School of Medicine. This appointment was effective July 15, 2011. Dr. Kahl is also a Professor in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Kahl joined OHSU in July from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where she was on the faculty for 24 years, serving as Associate Dean for Student Affairs for the past 17 years.

“The external landscape in which academic medicine exists is changing rapidly. Here at OHSU we are working hard to not only adapt but to lead all of our educational programs into the 21st century,” said Dean Mark Richardson. “Dr. Kahl brings an exceptional breadth of knowledge and experience to contribute to our strategic evolution, particularly in the area of faculty development, interprofessional education and curriculum development.”

Dr. Kahl will most immediately be involved in conducting a needs assessment associated with professional development within the School of Medicine. As part of this, she will be taking inventory of current development activities across OHSU to conceptualize how these initiatives may work more effectively together to meet student, resident, fellow, post-doc, faculty, and other groups’ professional development goals across the continuum of their academic trajectory.

Dr. Kahl is an active clinician (rheumatologist) and educator. Dr. Kahl has also published widely in her areas of research interest which is connective tissue disease, including systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma.

In addition to working directly with more than 500 medical students each year, at Washington University Dr. Kahl served on numerous committees related to the administration and strategic direction of the institution, including the Executive Committee of the Faculty Council, Academic Affairs, and Learning and Teaching Center Steering, among others. She represented the medical school in many national organizations and events, including chairing the American Medical Women’s Association’s Arthritis Advisory Group, which developed the Arthritis Curriculum for Primary Care Practitioners, in 1998 and 2000. Dr. Kahl has been involved in several other curriculum development and revision initiatives.

As Professor of Medicine, Dr. Kahl was involved in all four years of the MD curriculum – from teaching small group sessions in the first year to directing a 17-hour course in Rheumatology – as well as formal involvement in Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Kahl received many teaching awards at Washington University.

“With the move to a new building on the waterfront, a reorganization of the Office of the Dean, the Research Roadmap, LCME self study, and so much more, it is clear that OHSU is at an exciting juncture,” said Dr. Kahl. “I am delighted to join the faculty here and to have the opportunity to participate in this dynamic future. I also look forward to learning from the process and from faculty and students here.”

“Dr. Kahl’s long association with the leadership group of Washington University, her deep knowledge of the full breadth of opportunities and challenges ahead for academic medicine, along with her nationally-recognized clinical and educational expertise, will serve us all well. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Kahl and welcoming her not only to OHSU, but to Oregon,” said Dean Richardson.

Dr. Kahl received her MD degree from Albany Medical College and completed a residency and a rheumatology fellowship at University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital and University of Pittsburgh, Presbyterian University Hospital. Prior to joining the faculty at Washington University in 1987, she was a member of the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh for four years.


Pictured: Leslie Kahl, MD


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