People Notes

Jefferson Medical College Dean Appointed LCME Chair

Joseph S. Gonnella, MD, senior vice president for academic affairs and dean, Jefferson Medical College (JMC), has been appointed chair of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) through December 1997.

The LCME, the accrediting body sponsored jointly by the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges, is responsible for the accreditation of all medical education programs offering doctor of medicine degrees in the United States and Canada.

The LCME attests primarily to the educational quality of accredited programs directly serving the interests of the general public and of the students enrolled. It comprises 17 members who are medical educators and administrators, practicing physicians, public representatives and medical students.

Dr. Gonnella, who has been associated with the college since 1967, is responsible for the development and management of the administrative affairs and academic programs in education, research and patient care. As a professor of medicine, he founded and directs the medical college's Center for Research in Medical Education and Health Care.

He has been awarded the Commendatore nell Ordine from the president of Italy, the Dongbaeg Medal from the president of Korea and the Presidential Medal from Dartmouth College.

In addition, he received honorary doctor of medicine degrees from the University of Chieti, Italy, and Soon Chun Hyang University in Seoul, Korea, for his research in medical education. He also has received an honorary professorship from Tianjin Medical College in Tianjin, China.

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The Delaware Valley Hospital Council (DVHC) board of directors has elected as its chair for 1996 Thomas J. Lewis, senior vice president for healthcare and hospital CEO. Mr. Lewis was previously vice chair of DVHC's board and has been a board member since 1993. He recently chaired their Strategic Planning Committee.

Allan M. Lefer, PhD, professor and chairman, physiology, was elected president of the Fourth International Shock Congress scheduled for Philadelphia in 1999. Dr. Lefer's election took place recently during the Third International Shock Congress held in Japan, where he presented a plenary lecture, "The Selectins: Their Role in Ischemia, Shock and Trauma." In addition, Dr. Lefer was named recipient of the 1996 Distinguished Alumni Award of the department of physiology and biophysics at the University of Illinois/Urbana-Champaign, where he earned his doctorate.

David C. Levin, MD, professor of radiology and department chairman, has been elected president of the Society of Chairmen of Academic Radiology Departments. The organization is composed of chairmen of all radiology departments in the United States and Canada having residency programs. Its purpose is to address issues relating to radiology research, education, clinical practice and management. Dr. Levin was also recently invited to present the keynote address at the annual meeting of the Israel Radiological Society in Jerusalem. He spoke on "The Future of Radiology."