Sept. 8, 2004

Scott Selected to Head School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Provost and Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. John F. Williams, MD, EdD, MPH, announced the appointment of Dr. James Scott, MD, FACEP, as dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS). The announcement follows a recommendation from a faculty search committee and the approval of President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald R. Lehman. Dr. Scott has served as interim dean of SMHS since last summer. The position of dean was previously held by Dr. Williams from 1999 until 2003.

“Dr. Scott has a proven track record of leadership in many capacities within the school,” said Dr. Williams. “He is respected by faculty, students and staff. His work as interim dean has been exemplary and I’m proud he has agreed to stay on as dean.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to continue to work with people I respect and have grown closer to as interim dean,” said Dr. Scott. “I believe we are positioned with the right people, the right students and, now, the facilities to solidify our position as one of the premier schools of medicine and health sciences in the country.”

Before becoming interim dean in June 2003, Dr. Scott served as associate dean of SMHS beginning in 2000. He was named professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine in 1998. Previously, he served as residency director, assistant dean for graduate medical education and assistant dean for student affairs in SMHS. He was named the outstanding clinical teacher by the School of Medicine’s class of 2003 and he has received the Golden Apple award for outstanding teaching 10 times since coming to GW in 1986. In 1998, Dr. Scott received a National Teaching Award from the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Dr. Scott received his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, completed his internal medicine internship at the University of Arizona and did his residency at both Georgetown and GW.

“The best part of having been interim dean this past year is the opportunity I’ve had to work with all members of the academic community. This includes faculty, students, residents and staff,” said Dr. Scott. “I will continue to reach out in my role as dean and I especially look forward to continuing the tradition of close collaboration with our basic science faculty, the Medical Faculty Associates, the School of Public Health and Health Services and GW Hospital.”

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