Dean E. Albert Reece

A Q&A with Dean E. Albert Reece

Originally published in SOMNews, September 2006

Q. What attracted you to the University of Maryland School of Medicine?

A. Over the past two decades, the School of Medicine has demonstrated an impressive growth profile in its mission areas, especially research. I also recognized that there was scope for me, not only to further propel the research and academic progress, but also to significantly enhance the clinical enterprise. This opportunity was very appealing.
 

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Q. Do you plan to continue research at the School of Medicine?

A. I do. Some of my researcher scientists will join me here. Although I am no longer able to have an extended and regular physical presence in the laboratories, I hold weekly meetings where we discuss data, new experiments, grant proposals, potential publications and presentations.

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Q. What do you believe set you apart from the other candidates?

A. I suspect that my experience and accomplishments both as a chairman for 10 years and a dean for five years was attractive to the search committee and the leadership.

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Q. How has your background prepared you for the position?

A. My formal education is in medicine, research and business. I’ve had extensive experience in both urban and suburban environments in administration, clinical care, research and medical education. In addition, I have maintained a personal currency in those key areas which has allowed me to stay in touch with people’s attitudes. I’m also involved in many national organizations which help to shape the nation’s health and science policy. Some of those organizations include the National Institutes of Health, the Institute of Medicine, the Association of American Medical Colleges and other national organizations such as the March of Dimes and the Veterans Administration. 

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Q. What are the School of Medicine’s strengths and weaknesses?

A. From my perspective to date, an obvious strength is the research enterprise. This rapid rise in the School of Medicine’s research portfolio is well known throughout the nation. The attention to the research infrastructures to sustain growth, such as the plans underway for Health Sciences Facility III, is of major significance and demonstrates the institution’s strong commitment to research. I also think that the education curriculum for medical and graduate students is very strong. The curriculum in general is contemporary and very sound. Many of the integrative programs just now being created at other medical institutions across the country already exist here at Maryland.

An area that can be enhanced is the clinical arena. The School of Medicine and the medical center have a national reputation for our transplant program and for Shock Trauma. I think there is opportunity to create other “magnet” areas with national reputations like these two existing programs. With additional magnet programs in place, not only will our own citizens here in Maryland benefit, but patients from all over the country will seek out our institution.

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Q. What is one of the first issues you will tackle as dean?

A. One of my first goals will be to work with medical school leadership to consolidate a vision plan and communicate it across the School of Medicine. This will involve creating strategies and investments to ensure that our research enterprise continues to grow at its current pace. This is a very austere time in regard to NIH funding, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t continue to grow. It will require some creative initiatives and new ideas to continue on our current path. I’d also like to see our clinical areas become much stronger and will be looking for opportunities to create magnet programs and center of clinical excellence.

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Q. How do you stay connected to faculty, staff and students?

A. I believe in various communication strategies whether in print or through personal contacts. I plan to introduce a monthly e-newsletter which will feature a dean’s message and will encourage faculty to submit information about their academic and clinical life. I intend to visit every department’s faculty meetings once a year. I will also meet regularly with class officers to keep my pulse on what’s happening with our students. I would like to continue a yearly lecture I give in the Introduction to Clinical Medicine course, on the physiology of pregnancy, which will give me an opportunity to address the entire class.

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Q. What do you want faculty, staff and students to know about your communication style?

A. I have an open door policy. Therefore, to the extent possible I try to make time to meet with any faculty, staff member or student who wants to see me. I respond to e-mails within a reasonable time, and can usually be reached on the telephone.

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Q. What sort of leadership style do you have?

A. My leadership style is characterized by fostering the collegial atmosphere that is the hallmark of successful academic institutions. I set ambitious, yet realistic, goals and motivate and encourage faculty to work collaboratively to achieve those goals.

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Q. How does having an MBA impact your management style? 

A. It influences my approach to management by making me much more analytic when evaluating new or existing ventures. I do more business and market analysis, return on investment and business plans to confirm my intuition and to give me greater confidence in initiating and/or staying with projects.

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Q. What is the biggest challenge in replacing a dean with such a long tenure and successful track record?

A. First of all, Dr. Wilson’s accomplishments are indeed remarkable. He is a highly respected national leader. I intend to capture this momentum to fuel new initiatives which will propel the School of Medicine to greater heights in all its mission areas. I plan to have a school-wide meeting to share my vision with the faculty, staff and students and define how we can all work together to achieve that vision. 

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Q. Tell us about your family.

A. My wife, Sharon, is a visiting associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Law. We have three daughters: Kelly is completing her PhD in molecular pharmacology at Vanderbilt University; Brynne is a classical pianist, who is now enrolled at the University of Maryland Dental School; Sharon-Andrea is a student at Washington University in St. Louis.

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Q. What do you like to do outside of work? 

A. We observe Sabbath which provides welcome refreshment from the week’s activities. I enjoy participating in and volunteering for civic activities.

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