Dean Christian Larsen

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. David Stephens as interim chairman of the Department of Medicine, effective June 1.

Dr. Stephens is vice president for research in the Woodruff Health Sciences Center (since 2007) and division chief of infectious diseases in the Department of Medicine (since 1992). He is also the Stephen W. Schwarzmann Distinguished Professor of Medicine and has a joint appointment as professor of both microbiology and immunology (School of Medicine) and epidemiology (Rollins School of Public Health).

David Stephens

His service at Emory and in the department since joining the faculty in 1982 includes leading the development of successful programs in infectious diseases and microbial pathogenesis, as well as being a major contributor to the creation and development of the NIH-funded Emory Vaccine Center and the Emory Center for AIDS Research. He previously served as interim chairman of the department (1999) and as executive vice chair (1999-2005). He is principal investigator for Atlanta's Clinical and Translational Science Award, a multi-institutional research and education partnership funded in 2007 and refunded in 2012 by NIH.

Dr. Stephens is an exemplary and visionary leader, and I am confident he will aid in a seamless transition as Dr. Wayne Alexander steps down at the end of June. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Stephens as he takes on this new role.

Best regards,

Christian Larsen, MD, DPhil
Dean, Emory Medicine
Vice President for Health Center Integration,
Woodruff Health Sciences Center
Chairman, Board of Directors, The Emory Clinic