After overseeing growth, Brown dean stepping down

Dr. Eli Y. Adashi, who has led Brown University’s medical school through a period of extensive growth, plans to step down at the end of the academic year, Brown said last week.
Adashi, a physician and scientist known internationally for his work in reproductive biology and endocrinology, has been dean of the Warren Alpert Medical School since December 2004.
“Under Eli Adashi’s leadership, Brown has been able to move forward with extensive plans for investing in the life and health sciences,” Brown Provost David Kertzer said in a news release. “The Division of Biology and Medicine is now well positioned for continued growth in the Alpert Medical School, the public health program, and the basic biological sciences.”
Adashi may take a sabbatical and then possibly return to full-time teaching and research, Brown said.
The single biggest development under Adashi’s tenure was a $100 million gift from the Warren Alpert Foundation, announced in January, that will allow Brown to build a new medical school building, provide more financial aid and enhance support for faculty and research. The school was renamed this year in recognition of that gift.
In addition, under Adashi, the school has increased its life sciences lab space by 75 percent, both with the new Sidney E. Frank Hall for Life Sciences and through the renovation of existing space in the Biomedical Center. The university also bought an 11-story office building at 121 South Main St. where it has relocated its public health program.
As part of a university-wide initiative to expand the faculty, the medical school has added more than 20 faculty positions. It also has increased student enrollment by more than 40 percent and created a new pre-clinical medical curriculum, including a new two-year-long course in “doctoring” and new concentrations in fields such as global health, women’s reproductive health rights and medical ethics.
Brown also noted that under Adashi’s leadership, the school’s ranking in U.S. News & World Report has risen nine positions, to be tied at No. 34 with the medical schools at New York University, the University of Rochester and Boston University.
In addition, the school has enhanced its relationship with its hospital partners, and it is working on an even stronger relationship in conjunction with a planned merger between Lifespan and Care New England.
“These last few years have witnessed great progress and remarkable achievements for Brown’s programs in the life and health sciences,” Adashi said in the news release. “To all of those who have played such an important role in advancing this enterprise of ours, especially the divisional leadership team, I express my deepest gratitude and appreciation.” •
For the full news release announcing Adashi’s retirement as dean, visit med.brown.edu.

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