Patrice “Patrick” Delafontaine, dean of the MU School of Medicine, is resigning from his position effective March 31, 2019, in order to take a position at another institution. The university announced his resignation via email Friday.
“I’ve been honored to serve as the dean of this outstanding institution,” Delafontaine said in an interview with the MU News Bureau. “I’m proud of our accomplishments and that we have built a strong foundation for the future. I’ll be working with the provost and the interim leadership to ensure a smooth transition.”
Delafontaine first became dean of the MU School of Medicine on Dec. 1, 2014. He then resigned only 10 months later on Sept. 14, 2015. However, he was reinstated as the dean again on Feb. 18, 2016.
His reinstatement came after a request from the Faculty Affairs Council that the university consider reinstating him as dean. The request was prompted by results of an informal survey of faculty members from the School of Medicine, where 60 percent of respondents said former Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin should ask Delafontaine to reconsider his resignation.
Dr. Steven Zweig, chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, will serve as interim dean, according to the email. Zweig has been a member of the MU faculty since 1984.
“Building on the success of those who have come before me, I will do my best to advance the mission of the School of Medicine: to improve the health of all people, especially Missourians, through exemplary education, research, and patient-centered care,” Zweig said in an interview with the MU News Bureau. “We will do so with the work of the outstanding faculty, staff and students of the medical school; our vital partnership with University of Missouri Health Care; and the collaboration of our colleagues on the MU campus and beyond.”
Additionally, MU has announced a search for an executive vice chancellor for health affairs. The position will oversee MU Health Care and the School of Medicine and will report to Chancellor Alexander Cartwright and UM System President Mun Choi.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
_Edited by Kaitlyn Hoevelmann | khoevelmann@themaneater.com_
