The University of Louisville has selected a 30-plus-year medical and higher education veteran to transform its health enterprise and lead its School of Medicine, one of the oldest and most celebrated medical schools in North America.  

The Board of Trustees today named Jeffrey R. Bumpous, MD, the university’s new executive vice president of health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, effective July 1. In addition to providing strategic leadership and financial oversight for the medical school and its academic programs, clinical activities and research, the EVP/dean will strengthen the partnership with the university’s primary provider affiliate, UofL Health, one of Louisville’s largest employers. Bumpous will work closely with UofL Health’s CEO to ensure continued financial stability and advancement of both organizations’ respective missions, while advancing the goal of creating an interdependent, shared academic health enterprise.

“I am confident Dr. Jeffrey Bumpous is the right leader at the right time to further advance the tremendous partnership between the University of Louisville and UofL Health,” said UofL President Kim Schatzel. “Both institutions are critical to address the crisis of health care workforce shortages and ensure Kentuckians in both urban and rural areas have access to high-quality health care.” 

Bumpous, an otolaryngologist – head and neck surgeon, has served as UofL’s interim School of Medicine dean and vice president of academic medical affairs since June 2023.  He earned a doctor of medicine degree at UofL and has been a faculty member since 1994. He is the J. Samuel Bumgardner Professor and chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Communicative Disorders and is an associate clinical director at UofL Health - Brown Cancer Center.  

“This appointment is a testament to Dr. Bumpous’ courageous leadership and commitment to advancing medical education and research at UofL,” said Gerry Bradley, provost and executive vice president.  “He has the deep respect of his colleagues and will continue to prepare students for success in a rapidly changing clinical environment.”