The dean also serves as the Chief Academic Officer of OUWB for William Beaumont Hospital. The announcement was made by OU’s Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost James P. Lentini. The appointment is effective immediately.
Duane Mezwa, M.D., has been appointed as Interim Dean of the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. The dean also serves as the Chief Academic Officer of OUWB for William Beaumont Hospital. The announcement was made by OU’s Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost James P. Lentini. The appointment is effective immediately.
“Duane understands OUWB on many levels and has already played an integral role in the success of the school from its formation until today,” said Dr. Lentini. “As we discussed the future leadership of the medical school, he stood out as a natural fit to lead us as interim dean while a national search is conducted for a permanent dean.”
Dr. Mezwa is a 40-year employee of Beaumont Health, most recently serving as Health System Chair and Physician Executive for Diagnostic Radiology and Molecular Imaging. He also has been serving as chair of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Molecular Imaging for OUWB.
“Dr. Mezwa is exceptionally well-respected both at Beaumont Health and at OUWB. He has served as chair of Radiology with distinction and is a seasoned health care administrator, educator, and physician-scientist. His leadership within OUWB since its founding positions him to be an outstanding interim dean who will keep us on the strong trajectory led by our founding dean, Robert Folberg. I am highly enthusiastic about his selection,” added Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D.
Dr. Mezwa was on the inaugural Admissions Committee for OUWB and served as Vice Chair. He has also served on the Deans Executive Committee and currently chairs the Student Performance Review Committee. In addition, he has represented the clinical faculty to the Association of American Medical Colleges as a member of the Council of Faculty and Academic Societies.
As a researcher, Dr. Mezwa has authored many published articles and contributed chapters to several medical textbooks throughout his career. He has also presented at medical conferences throughout the nation and has been invited to speak as a visiting professor at nearly 60 locations nationwide.
“Duane’s shared commitment to the medical profession and to the education of medical students who are on the path to becoming the physicians of the future really shines through,” said Beaumont Health Chief Medical Officer David Wood, M.D. “This dual passion made his selection as interim dean an easy choice that Beaumont Health and our partners at Oakland University could both support.”
Dr. Mezwa has also been very involved in organizations within his area of medical specialization. He has served as president of the Association of Program Directors in Radiology and was president of the Michigan Radiological Society, a chapter of the American College of Radiology. He was a member of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Radiology Residency Review Committee, having served as Vice-Chair. He was also a member of the American Board of Radiology serving as a member of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors.
He has been recognized numerous times for his contribution to the science and practice of Radiology. He received the Gold Medal of the Michigan Radiological Society, as well as the lifetime achievement award for the Association of Program Directors in Radiology. Dr. Mezwa was awarded the Healthcare Leadership Award by the Michigan Hospital Association. Locally, he was honored by Beaumont Health, receiving the Outstanding Medical Staff Leadership Award for a “Leader Who Delivers.”
Dr. Mezwa attended Wayne State University School of Medicine, graduating in 1979. He did his residency at Beaumont before becoming an attending radiologist in 1983. Dr. Mezwa served as Program Director for 15 years, followed by a leadership role as Vice Chair, and eventually was promoted to Health System Chair and Physician Executive for Diagnostic Radiology and Molecular Imaging.