I believe the selection of A. Eugene Washington to serve as the next dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine and vice chancellor of  health sciences at UCLA is an inspired choice and signals a strong commitment to the issues of greatest importance to academic medicine in the coming years. Dr. Washington’s distinguished background in medical research, clinical care, public health, and health care disparities taken together means he will be perfectly situated to lead what is already a great institution’s health sciences program to new and even greater accomplishment.

 

I look forward to working with Dr. Washington during his transition to UCLA and into the future in my emeritus status. He will soon find, as I know, what an incredible group of individuals – faculty, clinicians, and staff -- work in UCLA Health Sciences.