Succession plans for Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine and Provost for Medical Affairs

April 18, 2016

I am writing to share an update on the leadership transition plan for Weill Cornell Medicine.

Last month we began the process to identify Dr. Laurie Glimcher’s successor as the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine and provost for medical affairs of Cornell University. As an initial component of this process, Robert S. Harrison, chairman of the Cornell University Board of Trustees; Jessica Bibliowicz, chairman of the Weill Cornell Board of Overseers; Cornell University President Emeritus Hunter Rawlings III, who will become the university’s interim president on April 25; and I, along with the search consultant Ira J. Isaacson, met with department chairs and senior leadership to discuss transition leadership and the search for a new dean.

Informed by these meetings, I am pleased to share with you that the Cornell University Board of Trustees and the Weill Cornell Board of Overseers have approved the appointment of Dr. Augustine M.K. Choi, the Sanford I. Weill Chairman of the Weill Department of Medicine, as interim dean of Weill Cornell Medicine and interim provost for medical affairs of Cornell University, starting June 1. A physician-scientist who heads the largest academic department at Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Choi is ideally positioned to understand the needs of the institution at this time and has agreed to serve until a new dean is selected.

Dean Laurie Glimcher will be stepping down from her position on June 1, 2016, but will continue as an adviser at Weill Cornell Medicine through August 31, 2016 in order to provide a smooth transition.

Additionally, the Board of Trustees has approved the formation of a search committee to assist Interim President Rawlings in selecting the new dean and provost for medical affairs. The committee will be co-chaired by Hunter Rawlings and Jessica Bibliowicz, two individuals with long-standing connections to Weill Cornell Medicine. Hunter and Jessica both bring a wealth of experience to the succession process and have a comprehensive grasp of Weill Cornell Medicine’s mission, long-term objectives, and recent accomplishments. We will keep you informed as the search committee membership is finalized and we work toward identifying an exceptional new leader for Weill Cornell Medicine.

Laurie has had an enormous impact on Weill Cornell Medicine and helped it achieve new heights of excellence during her time as dean. The Medical College has experienced an extraordinarily impressive expansion in its clinical and research programs, including the addition of dozens of medical practices and clinical faculty throughout New York City and the recruitment of leading scientific investigators to the Belfer Research Building. In addition, it has launched a cutting-edge medical curriculum and strengthened ties with New York- Presbyterian and with Cornell campuses in New York, Ithaca, and Doha.

On behalf of Cornell University, I’d like to express my thanks and high regard for Laurie’s many contributions to Weill Cornell Medicine. I’d also like to extend my thanks to Dr. Choi for his ongoing leadership and for assuming the responsibilities of interim dean and interim provost for medical affairs during this period of transition.

I am confident that Cornell will attract a dynamic and visionary leader to succeed Dean Glimcher, and that Weill Cornell Medicine will maintain its impressive momentum as a leader in patient care, scientific discovery, and education for years to come. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to this great institution.