Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce that the College of Medicine – Tucson is establishing two new clinical departments. Effective Monday, July 15, the surgery divisions of urology and neurosurgery were elevated to department status.
Please join me in congratulating Michael Lemole, MD, and Benjamin Lee, MD. Dr. Lemole will serve as interim chair of the Department of Neurosurgery while Dr. Lee will serve as interim chair of the Department of Urology. I can think of no two leaders who are more deserving of these positions; both have been instrumental in this process and the achievement of department status for their respective divisions.
Most academic urology and neurosurgery programs in the U.S. are freestanding departments. Departmental status can elevate each of these subspecialties, helping them achieve more academic prominence and growth.
In addition, this transition will benefit the entire College of Medicine – Tucson. Not only will we increase our national visibility and reputation, but we will enhance our ability to recruit outstanding residents and faculty and improve the financial position of the entire clinical enterprise. Please join me in wishing both of these departments well.
I would like to thank the University, the Faculty Senate and the Arizona Board of Regents for approving our request for two new departments. Thanks to this support, we are better positioned to serve the people of Arizona.
Thank you,
Irv Kron, MD
Interim Dean, College of Medicine – Tucson
Senior Associate Vice President, UA Health Sciences
Professor, Department of Surgery
