Farewell, Dean Lichter
With Dean’s Scholarship recipient Matthew S. Chang (M.D. 2006) in June
2006 |
After 7 1/2 years leading the University of Michigan Medical School, Allen
S. Lichter (M.D. 1972) stepped down from the dean’s post July 31 to become
executive vice-president and chief executive officer of the American Society
of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Washington, D.C.
“I respect that deans are stewards of their institutions for a limited
period of time, building on the success of those who came before them and creating
a foundation for further accomplishments to be achieved by those who follow,”
Lichter told faculty and staff prior to his departure from the University. “Deans
must lead, guide and sometimes cajole, but ultimately it is the faculty and
staff who determine what happens at great places like Michigan — and all
of you have indeed made great things happen.”
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| Graduation from U-M Medical School, 1972 |
Lichter was appointed dean May 1, 1999, after serving as interim dean from December 1, 1998. Internationally known for his research in the treatment of breast cancer, he served as chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology from 1984-97, and was director of the Breast Oncology Program at the Comprehensive Cancer Center until 1991. Prior to 1984, he was director of the Radiation Therapy Section of the National Cancer Institute’s Radiation Oncology Branch.
“Directing ASCO represents an exciting new challenge for me, one that I am eager to undertake,” Lichter added. “But Evie and I are very sad to leave Ann Arbor after 22 years on the faculty. We will miss the friendship and warmth of this wonderful place. Even though I will be working elsewhere, I remain a loyal alumnus of this school and University.”
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| With wife, Evie Lichter, signing the gift agreement establishing the Max L.
Lichter, M.D., Professorship Photo: Martin Vloet |
There were many successes under Lichter’s leadership, including the introduction
of a new curriculum — one of the first in the nation that puts students
in patient care settings earlier and emphasizes better communication skills;
recruitment and retention of stellar faculty researchers and the finest students;
adoption of the first faculty bylaws in the history of the school and the establishment
of events such as the annual new faculty orientation, faculty awards, new and
emeritus faculty dinners, dean’s breakfasts and the dean’s lecture
series; and the distribution of more scholarship funding than any public medical
school in the nation — more than $8 million annually.
In addition, under Lichter’s watch, more than 70 endowed professorships
were established and fund raising overall increased from $18 million to $70
million per year.
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| With Sophie and Max Newman, Chair of Radiation Oncology Theodore Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., and Gilbert Omenn, M.D., Ph.D., at the inauguration naming him Newman Professor of Radiation Oncology in December 2000 |
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| Alumni Reunion tailgate party in October 2005 |
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| Touring the construction of the Biomedical Science Research Building in October
2005 with MCAS board members David VerLee (M.D. 1962, Residency 1966), Jim Hays
(M.D. 1977) and Jim Wasco (M.D. 1966) Photo: D.C. Goings |
