I would like to keep you abreast of ongoing changes in the leadership in the Department of Internal Medicine. I have been in discussions with Dr. William E. Mitch, the Edward Randall and Edward Randall Jr. Distinguished Professor of Medicine, for some time about the department’s efforts to adapt successfully to a variety of forces facing academic medicine in general and the department in particular. Following considerable discussion, Dr. Mitch and I have agreed that he will relinquish his role as chairman of the department. After consulting with President Stobo, I have asked Dr. Randy Urban, Nelda C. and H. J. Lutcher Stark Distinguished Professor and Chief of the Endocrinology Division, to assume the position of Chairman ad interim of the Department of Internal Medicine effective today. A national search for a permanent successor to Dr. Mitch will be initiated following the naming and appointment of my successor as Dean of Medicine, which in all likelihood should occur by the end of the summer.

I would like to acknowledge with all due gratitude Dr. Mitch’s many contributions to the Department of Internal Medicine since his appointment as chairman. As an outstanding physician-scientist, he has established high standards for research within a clinical department and brought recognition to the institution with his service this year as President of the American Society of Nephrology. I also ask all of you to thank Dr. Urban for his willingness to assume these new interim responsibilities, and to provide him all possible support as the department goes through this transition.