School of Medicine developing two new assistant dean for student affairs positions

After nearly two decades, Molly Osborne, M.D. R ‘83, Ph.D., professor of medicine, OHSU School of Medicine, will step down from her role as associate dean for student affairs in the OHSU School of Medicine, effective June 30. She has served as associate dean since 1997. Two new assistant dean positions will replace the associate dean position (more information below).

Dr. Osborne will continue her clinical practice in the VA Portland Health Care System, and will build upon her role as part of the Interprofessional Initiative Steering Committee in the OHSU Office of the Provost.

“On behalf of the School of Medicine, and the entire Dean’s office, I’d like to thank Dr. Osborne for her many dedicated years of service to students and trainees at OHSU,” said George Mejicano, M.D., senior associate dean for education, OHSU School of Medicine. “She will be a valuable asset to the OHSU Interprofessional Initiative, and I look forward to working with her as we continue to support ways in which OHSU health professions students can work and learn together.”

Throughout her time in the school, Dr. Osborne has been a tireless advocate for learners, and has contributed significantly to the topics of education and ethics/palliative care, as well as through her research in asthma epidemiology. She has served the school in a variety of capacities, including as interim associate dean for education from 2011 to 2013. In addition to her professorship in the Department of Medicine (pulmonary and critical care medicine division), she is a senior scholar at the OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care.

As associate dean for student affairs, Dr. Osborne has mentored hundreds, if not thousands, of M.D. students on issues such as career advising, residency choices, balancing academics with family life, maintaining empathy, transition to residency, leadership and much more. She has also been an advisor to numerous residents, pulmonary and critical care fellows and nursing and paramedic students.

She’s received national recognition for her dedication to supporting the voice of students. Dr. Osborne has been an active member of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Group on Student Affairs (GSA) since 1997, was selected as national  GSA chair (2008-2009), and in 2013, received the GSA Exemplary Service Award for significant and sustained leadership, expertise, and/or creativity in addressing an issue or issues of importance to the GSA.

School of Medicine creates new assistant dean positions

The OHSU School of Medicine will eliminate the associate dean for student affairs and will create two new assistant dean positions to support the undergraduate medical education (UME) program and the needs of M.D. students.

The two assistant deans for student affairs will be members of the UME leadership team, primarily involved with student advocacy, creating and implementing policies affecting medical students, advising and counseling individual and groups of students, and serving as a role model for medical students. Faculty members are encouraged to apply for these positions; more information – including the position descriptions – will be shared soon.