Officials named Dr. M. Kristen Peek as senior vice president and dean of the School of Public and Population Health at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Peek has led the school as interim dean since October 2021. Her new position became effective June 1.

"I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to build the new school with an amazing team of faculty, staff, and students and tremendous support from UTMB leadership," Peek said. "Our vision is Health Equity for All, and we all look forward to being at the forefront of working wonders, leading the assurance and protection of public health through the amazing contributions of our school’s faculty, trainees and partners in the years to come."

She has held numerous other educational leadership positions since she joined UTMB in 1999. Her research garnered continuous NIH funding for 22 years.

Peek is the Centennial Chair in Preventive Medicine and Community Health and previously held the John Sealy Distinguished Chair for MD/PhD Combined Degree Studies and the Mary and J. Palmer Saunders Professor for Excellence in Teaching. She earned several teaching awards, including the Regents Outstanding Teaching Award from UT System.