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Kissela named executive vice dean of the College of Medicine

headshot of Richard Puff By Richard Puff
4 minute read February 7, 2022

Brett Kissela, MD, has been appointed executive vice dean for the College of Medicine, effective today.

“This will be an important new position that will greatly assist me in leading the College of Medicine,” says Andrew T. Filak Jr., MD, senior vice president for health affairs and Christian R. Holmes Professor and Dean of the College of Medicine. “For nearly the last two years, much of our attention has been spent responding to the effects of the pandemic on the missions of the College. With this, many important projects that will drive continuous improvement throughout the College have been slowed or placed on hold, and it is now time to return our focus on these. For example, among the new responsibilities Dr. Kissela will have with this position will be leading the efforts to update and then implement a revised strategic plan for the College of Medicine. He also will serve as a second-in-command at the College and assist with other decanal duties. Additionally, he will take on a number of special projects which he will lead.”

As executive vice dean, Kissela will continue to direct the Office of Clinical Research. He will remain Albert Barnes Voorheis Endowed Chair and Professor leading the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine and as chief of research services at UC Health. He will be transitioning out of his leadership role as multiple principal investigator for the Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training grant and also will be adjusting his clinical time to accommodate his new responsibilities.

Dr. Brett Kissela standing near window

Brett Kissela, MD

“I have worked closely with Dr. Kissela since his appointment as department chair in 2014 and, even more so, since he became senior associate dean in 2017. His tremendous energy, extraordinary strength in leadership, great ability to juggle multiple projects, strong track record of getting things done, and extensive background in our missions of patient care, education and research will ensure his success in this position. This new role will allow him to be an even greater asset to me and to the College of Medicine, and I know he will play an important role in ensuring a bright future for us,” Filak added.

A specialist in stroke care and research, Kissela joined the faculty in 2000. He received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis and later earned a master’s degree in epidemiology from UC. Following an internship at the Medical College of Wisconsin and a neurology residency at the University of Michigan, he completed a one-year fellowship at UC in cerebrovascular disease.

“I am very excited about this new position,” Kissela says. “There are many great things happening at the College of Medicine and we’ve really made great strides, even with the pandemic. We’ve had remarkable growth in many areas and key recruitments, such as Dr. John Byrd in Internal Medicine and Dr. George Leikauf in Environmental Health. Our research holdings have gone up substantially. Our medical and graduate student recruitment has been outstanding. Things are happening fast and I look forward to contributing even more to this success.”

Kissela has been active with numerous professional organizations, especially the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), where he has been a member of its Board of Directors since 2017. He is currently a member of the AAN Business and Innovation Subcommittee and the Special Commission on Racism, Inequity and Social Justice. He also serves as vice chair of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association EPI Stroke Statistics Subcommittee of the Council on Epidemiology and Prevention.

Photos of Brett Kissela, MD, by Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand

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