The University of Iowa is temporarily suspending its search for a new vice president for medical affairs (VPMA) and dean of the Carver College of Medicine, the school announced Oct. 13.
After a national search was launched in March, the university invited four candidates to campus in August and September. An offer was extended to one candidate but it was declined due to family obligations, according to a press release.
“I am sorry that we could not come to an agreement, but we certainly respect the candidate’s decision,” says UI Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Kregel in a statement. “We will re-evaluate the search process and launch it again as soon as possible.”
Outgoing VPMA and Carver College dean Dr. Brooks Jackson has agreed to continue serving in both roles until his successor is hired. He announced he was stepping down from the position in Feburary, with the intention of returning to a faculty position to pursue research.
“I am grateful that Brooks is willing to continue his service to the university, our students, faculty, staff, and patients,” says President Barbara Wilson. “Although it is disappointing to take a pause in our national search, we will use the time to ensure that we are poised to find an exceptional leader for our outstanding health care enterprise.”
In his current role, Dr. Jackson manages the state’s largest multi-specialty physician group practice and a UI Health Care system that has a total impact of $4 billion on the state’s economy. Dr. Jackson is an internationally recognized AIDS researcher, is board-certified in pathology and transfusion medicine, and was the principal investigator of the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network.
In January, former CEO Suresh Gunasekaran announced his departure to lead the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Health. Kimberly Hunter started as interim CEO March 1.
Ms. Wilson and Mr. Kregel anticipate the search will resume this winter.
