Message from the Dean
When Values Become Action
The Indiana School of Medicine serves the state in three unique
yet interdependent ways - education, service and research. I previously
have written about the School's planning process and the goals we
chose for each of these missions while introducing to you the faculty
members whose leadership is guiding us toward our goals.
The School also is defined by its faculty development, a workplace
environment of respect and dignity, and a clearly articulated statement
of values. These characteristics have an impact on our ability to
succeed in all of our missions and become one of the top ten public
medical schools in the country.
In her role as executive associate dean for academic affairs, Lynda
Means, MD, embodies these values as an advocate and a leader of
professional excellence. As an assistant dean during Robert Holden's
term as dean, she became recognized for her compassion, student
and faculty mentoring, leadership skills, sense of humor and her
ability to stay the course during the most difficult times.
Creating the templates that faculty can use to measure their progress
has been at the core of Lyn Mean's work during her first year leading
academic affairs. She has organized several functions within the
School, including the advancement of minority affairs, appropriate
recognition of our volunteer faculty, a compliance team with responsibility
to provide education and oversight on federally mandated regulations,
and a clear articulation of our values.
Lyn exemplifies the lifelong learner. She combines the talents
of a skilled
anesthesiologist with those of an insightful pediatrician to provide
care to the most critically ill infants and children. In addition,
she has taken on the mantle so long worn by George Lukemeyer, MD,
to chair our admissions committee. Through her support of groups
such as the Admissions Ambassadors, she also champions medical students'
efforts to better recruit and retain outstanding students.
A busy yet constant presence in her own children's lives, Lyn fuels
her energy with daily runs and by hosting special gatherings for
her children's friends and her students. What her enthusiastic involvement
means to many students was symbolized by her recent run with the
Olympic torch. Nominated by one of her students, she demonstrates
the professional and personal goals all of us should strive to achieve
every day of our lives.
D. Craig Brater, MD
Dean and Walter J. Daly Professor
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