Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Stephan Sharf Founding Dean Robert Folberg, M.D., has announced he will step down from the position on a yet to be determined date. OUWB will appoint an interim dean and work with Beaumont Health to assemble a committee and engage a search firm to launch a national search for the next dean.

Dr. Folberg has been part of the OUWB School of Medicine since its inception. Dr. Folberg holds a tenured position at OUWB as a professor in Foundational Medical Studies, Pathology and Ophthalmology and will remain a member of the faculty.

Dean Folberg joined OUWB a decade ago. He oversaw the establishment of Michigan’s first new medical school in more than half a century. OUWB welcomed 50 students in its first year and has grown to 125 students per year since then. The school receives thousands of applications annually.

Dean Folberg has led the development of a curriculum that prepares future physicians to deliver caring and compassionate service to patients. The founding dean also led faculty and staff to become accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

There is no question Dean Folberg has established a top-rate medical school with a truly unique and innovative mission, extraordinarily accomplished and dedicated faculty, and a growing list of exemplary academic and community engagement achievements.

We are so grateful to Dean Folberg for all of his contributions.