In response to the need for continued enhancements to student services that emerged as part of reaccreditation preparation, the IU School of Medicine Office of Medical Student Education is creating the position of associate dean for student affairs.
Emily Walvoord, MD, professor of clinical pediatrics, has been appointed to the associate dean role, which is responsible for ongoing student services. In this new position, Dr. Walvoord will oversee the enhanced statewide delivery and continuous improvement in the areas of academic advising and career mentoring, wellness, and development of a new student success program, among other services, at all nine campuses.
Bradley Allen, MD, PhD, senior associate dean for medical student education, said Dr. Walvoord brings a unique skillset to the student services group. “Consolidating our focus in this way gives us an opportunity to build on the momentum that key individuals in the Mentoring and Advising program, including Drs. Abby Klemsz, Antwione Haywood and Michael Busha, have begun executing,” he noted. “With the addition of Dr. Walvoord to this dynamic team, we continue to make positive changes highlighted in the reaccreditation process that unite us as one school.”
In addition to her role as a pediatric endocrinologist, which includes a focus on pubertal and growth disorders, Dr. Walvoord has served as assistant dean for the Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development (OFAPD) and as an associate residency program director for the Department of Pediatrics. In addition, she is finishing her tenure as president of the IU School of Medicine faculty, a term that ends in July.
Mary Dankoski, PhD, executive associate dean for faculty affairs and professional development, sees the transition as a natural extension for Dr. Walvoord, a colleague committed to student success: “OFAPD and MSE have always worked in close partnership; Dr. Walvoord’s appointment to this new role will only strengthen our collaboration. She is highly committed to both faculty and students, and I am thrilled that our students will further benefit from the expertise and the passion she brings to her work.”
Dr. Walvoord begins her new role as the associate dean for student affairs with Medical Student Education on July 1. She will continue to treat patients and will support her colleagues in the search for her replacement in OFAPD.
“Our medical students embody our future, and I could not be more excited about this new role. I look forward to building on the important work and progress of the medical student education team,” said Dr. Walvoord. “Student input has played a key role in recent enhancements for a variety of student services. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with our students and the MSE team to continue to expand and enrich how we support the success of all students on our campuses.”