Spring Break
Experience, accolades lead to UCHC Dean pick
Scott Allison
Issue date: 9/23/08 Section: News
After over a decade as the Dean of the School of Medicine, Dr. Peter Deckers stepped down this summer, ceding the position to Dr. Cato Laurencin, an internationally known orthopedic surgeon and professor of orthopedic surgery.
Deckers is not retiring, but taking a leave of absence and will return to the UConn Health Center (UCHC) in the future to hold a different position, according to university President Michael Hogan.
According to Hogan, the university led a large-scale search for a new Dean, which came down to a few able finalists. Hogan said Laurencin emerged as the best candidate because of his strong administrative background and what Hogan called an "aggressive research profile" that ranks him among the best in the world.
Laurencin said he is eager to use the resources provided by a university that he believes to be "a fantastic place with a great reputation."
"I'm very excited about being here, I think this institution is an amazing place," he said.
Laurencin's experience most recently includes his work at the University of Virginia for the past five years where he held the position of Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He was also a professor and the Orthopedic Surgeon-in-Chief at that University's Health System.
He also has experience at the national level as the Speaker of the House of the National Medical Association. In the past he has been on the National Science Advisory Board for the Food and Drug Administration and has been named as one of America's Top Doctors and America's Top Surgeons by Black Enterprise Magazine. Laurencin feels that this range of credentials has prepared him for his current position.
The new Dean has a positive outlook for the UCHC and his mission reflects it.
"The goal [of the UCHC] is to move toward being a top tier academic center," he said.
According to Laurencin, this means having the best research and teaching possible as well as working with the community.
According to Hogan's press release, Laurencin received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, where he graduated magna cum laude. He later attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received his Ph.D. in biochemical engineering and biotechnology.
He was the chief resident in orthopedic surgery at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. Following this achievement, Laurencin studied sports medicine at Cornell University and at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Deckers is not retiring, but taking a leave of absence and will return to the UConn Health Center (UCHC) in the future to hold a different position, according to university President Michael Hogan.
According to Hogan, the university led a large-scale search for a new Dean, which came down to a few able finalists. Hogan said Laurencin emerged as the best candidate because of his strong administrative background and what Hogan called an "aggressive research profile" that ranks him among the best in the world.
Laurencin said he is eager to use the resources provided by a university that he believes to be "a fantastic place with a great reputation."
"I'm very excited about being here, I think this institution is an amazing place," he said.
Laurencin's experience most recently includes his work at the University of Virginia for the past five years where he held the position of Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He was also a professor and the Orthopedic Surgeon-in-Chief at that University's Health System.
He also has experience at the national level as the Speaker of the House of the National Medical Association. In the past he has been on the National Science Advisory Board for the Food and Drug Administration and has been named as one of America's Top Doctors and America's Top Surgeons by Black Enterprise Magazine. Laurencin feels that this range of credentials has prepared him for his current position.
The new Dean has a positive outlook for the UCHC and his mission reflects it.
"The goal [of the UCHC] is to move toward being a top tier academic center," he said.
According to Laurencin, this means having the best research and teaching possible as well as working with the community.
According to Hogan's press release, Laurencin received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, where he graduated magna cum laude. He later attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received his Ph.D. in biochemical engineering and biotechnology.
He was the chief resident in orthopedic surgery at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. Following this achievement, Laurencin studied sports medicine at Cornell University and at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
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