News to Use
New appointments at the IU School of Medicine, IU Health
July 3, 2014
Peter Nalin to lead medical education at IU School of Medicine
IUSM Dean Jay L. Hess recently appointed Peter M. Nalin, M.D., associate professor of clinical family medicine, to a three-year term as executive associate dean for educational affairs at the IU School of Medicine.
Peter Nalin, M.D.
Dr. Nalin succeeds Maryellen Gusic, M.D., as the leader of educational affairs at the IU School of Medicine, the second-largest medical school in the U.S. Dr. Gusic will become chief medical education officer at the Association of American Medical Colleges beginning Oct. 1. Dr. Nalin's term began July 1.
"With implementation of a new curriculum, expansion of medical education to four years at all centers and an upcoming Liaison Committee on Medical Education accreditation site visit, this is a crucial time for educational affairs at the IU School of Medicine," Dr. Hess said. "We will be relying heavily on Dr. Nalin, who has previously served on an interim basis as the executive associate dean for educational affairs, to provide strong leadership during these important transitions."
Dr. Nalin’s career in medical education began as a rural medical education preceptor in upstate New York. At IU, he has served as associate dean for graduate medical education for eight years. He was also the interim executive associate dean for educational affairs from 2009 to 2010 following the retirement of Stephen B. Leapman, M.D.
Dr. Nalin has been recognized for his role in developing and supporting the new family medicine residency site at Lafayette, Ind. This residency site is a collaboration of local and regional health care entities including Riggs Community Health Center, where Dr. Nalin serves as vice president for medical affairs; and recently as its interim president and CEO.
Dr. Nalin joined the faculty of the IU School of Medicine in 2001 as residency director of the IU Methodist Family Medicine Residency, and was elected national president of the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors. In 2006, the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians selected him for the A. Alvin Haley Award for excellence in education.
In 2009, Dr. Nalin was recognized by IU family medicine residents as a Faculty Member of the Year. He received the Program Director Recognition Award in 2005 from the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors. He has been named a Top Doc by Indianapolis Monthly and was the recipient of one of America's Top Family Doctors awards.
Active in the Association of American Medical Colleges, Dr. Nalin serves as national director of the association's Leadership Development Course. A six-year directorship, the position leads the national course, which prepares new leaders in graduate medical education nationwide. Dr. Nalin also chairs the Institutional Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
Dr. Nalin is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He completed a residency in family medicine at Lancaster (Pa.) General Hospital, where he was awarded the Resident Teacher Award of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. He also completed the fellowship of the National Institute for Program Director Development.
He will retain his concurrent role as interim chair of the department of radiation oncology until the search for a new chair is completed.
New president appointed for IU Health Methodist and University hospitals
Herbert C. Buchanan, Jr. will join IU Health as president of both IU Health Methodist Hospital and IU Health University Hospital effective Monday, July 7. He brings more than 25 years of health care leadership experience to the position.
John Cox, M.D.
Buchanan succeeds Jim Terwilliger , who stepped down March 1, 2014 after serving in the position since July 2012, where he succeed Sam Odle. Jeff Sperring, M.D., volunteer clinical assistant professor of pediatrics and CEO of Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, serves as the interim president of Methodist and University Hospitals.
Buchanan joins IU Health from Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he has served as chief executive officer since 2012. Prior to joining Howard, he served as chief operating officer for University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. Before that, Buchanan served in the role of vice president of operations at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and as vice president of operations and process improvement for the Huntsville Hospital System in Alabama.
“Herb is a dynamic and effective leader who has an impressive track record in both establishing and achieving challenging goals,” said Dennis Murphy, executive vice president and system chief operating officer at IU Health. “We look forward to welcoming Herb to the IU Health team.”
In his new role, Buchanan will be responsible for determining the strategic vision and priorities of IU Health Methodist and University hospitals, in alignment with the nationally ranked health system’s overall business strategy. He will report to Dr. Murphy.
A native of Washington, D.C., Buchanan earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, as well as graduate and undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, respectively.
John Cox to lead residency training, radiation oncology clinical site at IU
John A. Cox, M.D., assistant professor of clinical radiation oncology, has been named residency director for radiation oncology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Cox's role as medical director of radiation oncology at IU Health Methodist Hospital has been expanded to include a similar position at IU Health University Hospital.
John Cox, M.D.
Peter M. Nalin, M.D., executive associate dean for educational affairs and interim chair of the IU School of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology, said the dual role to be assumed by Dr. Cox will bring additional continuity to the training program, as well as strengthen clinical care.
"Dr. Cox brings a wealth of experience from several institutions. Aligning with the importance of our clinical learning environments of hospitals and treatment centers, we are fortunate that John will serve concurrently in these clinical and educational leadership roles," Dr. Nalin said.
As residency director, Dr. Cox will oversee the four-year program attended by recently graduated physicians who intend to specialize in radiation oncology. The residents receive training in pediatric and adult protocols, as well as other physician competencies, such as professionalism. The IU program accepts two new residents each summer and is involved with furthering the medical educations of several continuing radiation oncology residents each year.
Dr. Cox joined the IU School of Medicine faculty in 2013 after completing his residency training at the University of Texas Medical Branch, where he served as chief resident. He received his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Cox will begin his new duties July 1.
Heit named fellowship director
The IU School of Medicine Office of Graduate Medical Education has named Michael Heit, M.D., director of the OB-Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship.
Dr. Heit also serves as associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the IU School of Medicine.
This Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited fellowship has been educated specialists in this field since 2012.
