Pfeifer named interim dean

Mark Pfeifer, M.D., has been appointed interim dean of the University of Louisville's School of Medicine, replacing Laura Schweitzer, Ph.D., who accepted administrative posts at New York's SUNY Upstate Medical University and Syracuse University on Oct. 1.

Pfeifer will serve as medical school dean while the university undertakes a national search to fill the position on a permanent basis.

"It is an honor to hold this position and a privilege to work with the strongest group of faculty and students in our institution's history," Pfeifer said.

"Our educational, research, and clinical programs are positioned for further growth, and I believe, despite our recent landmark gains, that we have not yet reached our full potential. These are exciting times for the School of Medicine."

Pfeifer, a UofL School of Medicine alumnus, joined Louisville's faculty in 1987 after completing his residency in internal medicine at Emory University in Atlanta.

He completed an academic fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992 and a certificate in medical management from the American College of Physician Executives at Carnegie Mellon University in 1998.

The same year, he began serving as chief of staff at UofL Hospital as well as associate vice president for health affairs and vice dean for clinical affairs at UofL's medical school.

Pfeifer is a practicing internist, directs a program for advanced chronic illness and end-of-life care and has led several key administrative committees within the school.

He is principal investigator for active National Institutes of Health- and Centers for Disease Control-sponsored research programs seeking ways to improve symptom management in cancer patients.

"I'm pleased that Dr. Pfeifer has agreed to lead the school of medicine through this important transition period," said Larry Cook, M.D., UofL's executive vice president for health affairs.

"His extensive leadership experience in clinical affairs and medical education will help us maintain the tremendous momentum we have built over the past decade."

Each year, UofL's medical school grants doctor of medicine degrees to nearly 150 students and trains more than 600 residents and fellows.

From 1998 to 2004, National Institutes of Health research funding to the school has increased fivefold to more than $37 million annually.