Paul Wallach, MD, a nationally recognized leader in academic medicine, joined IU School of Medicine as executive associate dean of educational affairs and institutional improvement. Dr. Wallach, who was instrumental in IU School of Medicine’s Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) reaccreditation in 2017, most recently served in academic affairs leadership positions with Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.
Dr. Wallach shares information about his background and his role at IU School of Medicine in this Q&A.
Tell us about your educational background.
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from Rollins College in 1980. My doctor of medicine degree is from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in 1984 where I also received the college’s distinguished alumnus award in 2011. I completed my residency in internal medicine at the University of South Florida where I served as the chief resident in 1987. I completed a faculty fellowship in general internal medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992.
Tell us about your background and experience in academic affairs at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.
The Medical College of Georgia (MCG) is the eighth largest medical school in the US and has four regional campuses. The experience I have gained at MCG helps significantly in my understanding of large medical schools with multiple campuses. During my tenure in Augusta, students, faculty and administration worked to together to enhance learning and create a supportive learning environment. As a result, student performance and satisfaction improved remarkably. My portfolio in Augusta included undergraduate medical education (UME), graduate medical education (GME), quality improvement, accreditation, evaluation, admissions, student affairs, student diversity, instructional technology, faculty affairs, faculty development, regional campuses, simulation and educational ultrasound, and the Educational Innovations Institute. I have also had the privilege of serving the educational mission at New York Medical College and the University of South Florida College of Medicine.
Explain what your role with the IU School of Medicine will be like as the executive associate dean of educational affairs and institutional improvement.
IU School of Medicine is a highly respected medical school nationally, the largest in the country, and is complex in structure with nine campuses! My role will be to support and serve all of those involved with the educational mission across the continuum–UME, GME, and CME, and regional campuses–paying close attention to the environment created for our learners. I look forward to working with students, residents, faculty and staff to enhance the educational program. The institutional improvement part of my portfolio enables me to effectively apply quality improvement processes across the missions of IU School of Medicine to assist us in achieving our goals.
What are your goals for educational affairs and continuous institutional improvement at IU School of Medicine?
It is my hope that IU School of Medicine’s educational programs, building on its existing excellence, will embrace innovation, seek national recognition, and offer the best preparation for our learners to succeed in their professional lives. IU School of Medicine’s statewide model offers enormous opportunity for building regional centers of excellence for our school.
Tell us a little more about your involvement in IU School of Medicine’s accreditation process with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
I had the privilege of serving as a peer consultant in the self-study process. I also assisted IU School of Medicine leadership with preparation for the successful LCME visit.
Why did you choose to become a part of the faculty at IU School of Medicine?
IU School of Medicine is an incredible medical school. The dean, senior leadership, faculty, staff, residents and students all impressed me as leaders who deeply care about the missions of academic medicine. I chose to join the school because we share a passion for its vision and mission, and I believe I can assist IU School of Medicine in reaching its goals.
What do you hope to contribute to medical education in the state of Indiana?
Through educational programs at multiple levels, we will continue to prepare our learners/graduates to do their very best in serving the needs of our state and nation—including the provision of outstanding patient care, pursuing important research, giving back through teaching those who follow and contributing leadership for our health care system.
Outside of work, what are your hobbies and interests?
I am family centered. I have three adult children and one granddaughter (age 2 ½), all of whom give my wife and I great joy. We love boating and tried to spend an afternoon each week on our boat when we lived in Georgia. My wife and I also enjoy traveling.
What else would you like IU School of Medicine faculty, staff and students to know about you?
We view those in our professional lives as extended family and look forward to getting to know our new family!
