Joseph S. Gonnella, MD, Dean, Jefferson Medical College (JMC) and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Thomas Jefferson University, has announced several key changes in JMC’s organizational structure.

Benjamin Bacharach, MD, Associate Dean for Admissions for nearly 17 years, has been named to the new position of Associate Dean for Alumni Relations.

Clara A. Callahan, MD, formerly Associate Dean for Student Affairs, is now Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs, thus consolidating the Offices of Admissions and Student Affairs.

Says Dean Gonnella, “Asking ‘Bud’ Bacharach to take on his new role is a natural because of his longstanding involvement and experience with our alumni. His special skills, contacts and experience will be vital in strengthening and expanding our alumni relationships.

“Dr. Callahan is well versed in both the philosophy of the college and issues that are important to students. She benefits from feedback from just about all sources of experience at Jefferson, and so is unusually qualified to direct the combined activities of both offices. Bringing Admissions and Student Affairs together will enable us to more easily track students after they are admitted, and so make more cohesive the processes of admission, performance and activity.”

The recent death of Joseph F. Rodgers, MD, Associate Dean for Residency and Affiliated Hospital Programs, affected two related appointments.

Thomas J. Nasca, MD, has been named Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Affiliations and will coordinate essentially all JMC academic activities. In addition, he will take direct responsibility for graduate medical education and for the connections with all of our educational affiliate institutions. Dr. Nasca will continue to serve also as Associate Dean for Education and Research for the Jefferson Health System.

Susan L. Rattner, MD, MS, who was named Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, now has direct responsibility for undergraduate medical education. Her duties will include some responsibility for educational programming at affiliate institutions.

Continuing to have direct responsibility for continuing medical education at both JMC and affiliate institutions is Timothy P. Brigham, PhD, Assistant Dean for Graduate and Continuing Medical Education.

In summing up the benefits of the reorganization, Dean Gonnella cited strengthening and expanding alumni relations as well as consolidating the activities of admissions, student activity and academic affairs, and more closely monitoring all three levels of education – undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education.

The announcements were made following approval by the University’s Board of Trustees on June 7.

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