Morehouse School of Medicine President Retiring

The Atlanta Voice has received the following statement from President Maupin, via the Morehouse School of Medicine’s press office, regarding his decision to retire…

“I’ve worked for 30 years and next year I’ll be 68 years-old… But, I always wanted to ensure that a good transition plan was in place and I’m confident the plan established in 2011 is best for the institution. This plan also ensures that the next president would be able to launch the next capital campaign under a new administration and strategic plan. The next capital campaign will begin under my leadership and be completed by Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice.”

The Atlanta Voice has obtained a copy of a “confidential” letter dispatched on Thursday to staff members at the Morehouse School of Medicine, abruptly announcing the retirement of President John E. Maupin. According to the letter, Maupin’s retirement takes effect on June 30, 2014.

The contents of the letter are below. A formal press release regarding Maupin’s retirement is expected to be delivered to the media shortly. The Atlanta Voice has made multiple attempts to gain explanation regarding Maupin’s retirement, without response at the time of this posting.

In obligation to our readers, we are supplying the information available so far. We will follow up with further details as they become available.

The announcement letter reads as follows…

John E. Maupin Jr. announces plans to retire in 2014; Montgomery Rice named to succeed as president and dean of Morehouse School of Medicine. Our President John E. Maupin Jr. is today announcing his planned retirement following more than 30 years of an accomplished career in academic medicine, healthcare administration and public health, effective June 30, 2014.

“Being a part of the growth and development of Morehouse School of Medicine has been a remarkable experience,” said Maupin. “Much about MSM is highly distinctive, but what makes it so special is the extraordinarily dedicated faculty and staff, community-focused students, and committed trustees and alumni.”

Stepping into the presidency role will be our own Dean Valerie Montgomery Rice, who was named as executive vice president and dean in 2011. She will retain her role as dean when she becomes president next year and the nation’s first African-American woman to lead a free-standing medical school as chief executive officer. A MSM campus-wide town hall meeting is scheduled for July 2, 2013, beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the auditorium, where Dr. Maupin and Dean Montgomery Rice will talk about the leadership transition and host a Q&A.

In 2010, the MSM board of trustees approved a new leadership structure that would merge the roles of dean and president upon Dr. Maupin’s retirement. This new structure is consistent with a recent trend among the nation’s free-standing medical schools – elevating the role of dean to chief executive officer while retaining chief academic officer responsibilities.

“We are appreciative for the service and superior leadership Dr. Maupin displayed during his seven-year tenure as president,” said Anthony Welters, chairman of MSM’s board of trustees. “Under Dr. Maupin’s guidance, the school has made significant advances, expanding academic programs and clinical affiliations, creating innovative partnerships, modernizing facilities, and strengthening the infrastructure to better support research, patient care and teaching.” “During her tenure as dean, Dr. Montgomery Rice has demonstrated her commitment to the mission and vision of the medical school,” said Art R. Collins, chairman of the board of trustees’ committee on transition. “In our selection of Dr. Montgomery Rice as dean, we believed she could ascend to leading the medical school and provide the necessary consistency to continue advancing the mission.”

In response to her appointment, she said, “I consider it an honor that our board is entrusting me with the responsibility of continuing to build on the legacy of this preeminent institution. My role is clear—to continue to further the mission working with faculty, staff, alumni and other stakeholders while also positioning the school to remain relevant and at the forefront of an ever-changing medical education environment.”

Dr. Maupin and Dean Montgomery Rice will collectively continue to enhance key partnerships, advance development and philanthropic outreach, and maintain a focus on faculty and staff engagement throughout the next year.

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