As academic medicine has grown more complex, the role of dean has become increasingly demanding. In fact, scholars have expressed concern about shortened tenure for deans and rapid turnover in medical school leadership.
A new study published in Academic Medicine offers a contrasting view. Analyzing information from 1959 to 2009 for of all 125 AAMC-member institutions, researchers found no decrease in deans’ term of service. With a median time of 6 years in the post, medical school deans enjoy a tenure roughly equivalent to college presidents.
The findings hold the promise for greater stability in medical schools. With longer tenures, deans can implement long-term programs and put enduring systems in place.