Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., has announced the appointment of Richard Thurer, M.D., and Sheri Keitz, M.D., Ph.D., to new positions dedicated to enhancing the careers of all Miller School faculty.
Dr. Thurer will become the medical school's ombudsperson, a position he will use to devise a confidential and fair process to serve, support and guide faculty members when they have concerns about their work environment. Dr. Keitz will take over the role of senior associate dean for faculty affairs.
The Ombudsperson Office will serve as an "ear to the people" so that all faculty members at the Miller School can be heard without fear of retaliation or loss of privacy. Dean Goldschmidt said Dr. Thurer is uniquely qualified to serve in his new post, given his lifelong history of service and advocacy for faculty members, first as a member of the Faculty Senate and most recently as senior associate dean for faculty affairs.
Like Thurer, Keitz also has dedicated her career to supporting faculty members in the academic environment. Since 2007, Keitz has served as associate dean for faculty diversity and development, a role in which she worked to promote respect and responsibility in the workplace for everyone. In her new position, Keitz will be responsible for providing overall leadership and oversight of programs that support faculty in their various academic roles within the Miller School, including recruitment, appointment, development, promotion and tenure. She also will lead the effort for institutional programs pertaining to diversity and equity that will be integrated within the bylaws and structures of the Miller School.
Dean Goldschmidt said the new appointments will help build a broad system of support that will expand services to faculty and build on the strengths of this pair of leaders who will serve as advocates for faculty and the work environment.
Dr. Keitz and Dr. Thurer have written messages to the faculty explaining their new roles. Click here to read Dr. Keitz's message, and here to read Dr. Thurer's message.
