Medical school’s choice brings dental background to post

Dr. Jay Alan Gershen was named president of Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) yesterday morning.

“His complete understanding of the complexities of a growing health sciences university, his impressive record of academic leadership, his knowledge of research and technology and his enthusiasm for building lasting relationships made him the ideal candidate,” said Dr. Steven Schmidt, chair of NEOUCOM’s Board of Trustees, in a press release.

Gershen, vice chancellor for external affairs for the University of Colorado Denver, will replace Dr. Lois Margaret Nora beginning Jan. 15, as NEOUCOM’s sixth president. Nora announced last June she would be stepping down after seven years as president.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the State University of New York, his doctorate in education at the University of California Los Angeles and his dental degree at the University of Maryland. He has been a professor at University of Colorado Denver School of Dental Medicine since 1997.

Gershen was previously president of the American Association of Dental Schools and chair of the National Affairs Committee of the American Association for Dental Research.

Contact health reporter Amber Wade at [email protected]