September 12, 2017

Senior Associate Dean for Education George Mejicano, M.D., M.S., has appointed Christopher E. Swide, M.D., professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, to the role of associate dean for graduate medical education (GME). With this appointment, he will also assume the role of designated institutional official for all the OHSU accredited GME programs. The appointments follow a yearlong national search process and both are effective Oct. 1. Dr. Swide has been assistant dean for GME since July 2013.

"In his role as assistant dean, and especially since stepping up to take on so many more responsibilities after Dr. Pat Brunett retired last year, Dr. Swide has proven himself to be an effective leader and strong advocate for GME. As such, I am confident that we will continue to advance our programs and the educational mission of the School of Medicine with Dr. Swide as associate dean," said Dr. Mejicano. "I'd also like to thank Sue Simmons for her leadership this past year as well as the members of the search committee for their efforts during this important process." Visit the link above for a list of search committee members (OHSU log in required).

As associate dean, Dr. Swide is responsible for all strategic, programmatic and policy issues related to GME. He will represent the School of Medicine at regional and national forums pertaining to GME, advise the GME staff on operational issues, chair the monthly GME Committee meetings and collaborate with OHSU leaders in the clinical enterprise to explore new training opportunities for residents and fellows, including at OHSU-affiliated hospitals and health systems.

"I am honored to assume the associate dean role and am fortunate to bring with me considerable familiarity with the people and programs that make our graduate medical education community such a rich environment for training residents and fellows," said Dr. Swide. "I look forward to supporting GME program directors and coordinators across the school as we maintain and continually improve the excellent clinical learning environment for which our programs are known."

OHSU employs more than 850 trainees in the School of Medicine's 80-plus accredited programs. In 2017, approximately 15,000 trainees from around the world applied for 276 available positions in OHSU's GME programs. Internal and external reviews of GME at OHSU pointed to effective leadership, high program quality and strong communication with stakeholders as reasons for the institution's exceptional accreditation record.

Dr. Swide has served as vice chair for education and as the core residency program director in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine, then completed his internship in internal medicine at Mt. Zion Hospital and Medical Center in San Francisco, his residency in anesthesiology at OHSU, and an ASTRA fellowship in regional anesthesia at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. Dr. Swide joined OHSU in 1995 from Darnall Army Hospital in Ft. Hood, Texas. He lives in Portland with his wife of 34 years, Sharon L. Kenny. They enjoy traveling, particularly to see their three grown children who live in New York City and Los Angeles.