I am pleased to share that, effective immediately, Susan Chubinskaya, PhD, MS, has been appointed Senior Vice President, Provost, and Chief Academic Officer of The University of Texas Medical Branch.
Dr. Chubinskaya, who has served as Interim Provost since 2025, joined UTMB in February 2024 as Vice President and Executive Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development. An internationally recognized authority in regenerative medicine and musculoskeletal biology, she brings more than 30 years of experience in academic leadership, faculty development, and research innovation.
In this expanded role, Dr. Chubinskaya will serve as UTMB’s chief academic leader, providing visionary direction and driving innovation in educational policy, instructional planning, program review, and resource allocation—all in support of advancing academic excellence across UTMB’s five schools and fostering the success of our faculty, students, and trainees.
She will guide academic strategic planning; oversee faculty appointments, promotion, and tenure processes; and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability within the Academic Enterprise. Her portfolio will include leadership of the Health Education Center (HEC), Interprofessional Education (IPE), Academic Resources, Interprofessional Continued Education (IPCE), Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation, Faculty Affairs, and Student Affairs. She will also maintain oversight of faculty and student mentoring, wellness, and leadership development programs.
Before joining UTMB, Dr. Chubinskaya served for more than three decades at Rush University in Chicago, where she advanced through multiple leadership roles. During her tenure, she was instrumental in developing initiatives that increased faculty productivity, fostered scholarly engagement, and expanded opportunities for leadership advancement.
Dr. Chubinskaya’s contributions extend well beyond UTMB. She is a past President of the Orthopaedic Research Society and has served on multiple national study sections and review panels, including the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. Her leadership in Faculty Affairs at Rush received national recognition from the Association of American Medical Colleges, which honored her office with the Group on Women in Medicine and Science Leadership Award. More recently, she received the Orthopaedic Research Society's Arthur Steindler Award for her contributions to understanding orthopaedics and for devoting a significant portion of her career to furthering knowledge in the field of musculoskeletal disease.
A graduate of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program at Drexel University and a certified executive coach, Dr. Chubinskaya embodies UTMB’s commitment to mentorship, professional growth, and exemplary leadership.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Chubinskaya, and in expressing our appreciation for her continued leadership, collaboration, and dedication to UTMB’s mission of education, discovery, and service.
Sincerely,
Jochen Reiser, MD, PhD
UTMB President
CEO, UTMB Health System
Professor, John Sealy School of Medicine
John D. Stobo, MD Distinguished Chair