Following a national search, Dean Giuseppe Colasurdo has announced Dr. David McPherson as the new chair of the Department of Internal Medicine.

“Dr. McPherson will provide the leadership to take this department to the next level, although it is not a one-person job. He will have to rely upon his chiefs and recruit and engage strong leaders. I believe he has the qualities to bring people together – he is driven, a team player, and effective at recruitment. I am certain he will continue to contribute to the growth of internal medicine,” Dean Colasurdo said.

McPherson, director of the Division of Cardiology, also is the primary investigator of the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences and the division director of cardiology at the Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center Heart and Vascular Institute. He joined the Medical School in July 2006 from Northwestern University.

“For the Department of Internal Medicine at the Medical School, I want nothing but the best. I would like to see us become a top-tier nationally ranked department by the Association of American Medical Colleges. A few short- and long-term goals include: aggressively growing our clinical practices, obtaining further NIH funding, and strengthening our partnerships with the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System and the Harris County Hospital District,” McPherson said.

McPherson has identified strategic areas of growth for the department: oncology, pulmonary critical care, translational research, and educational programs. “The plan includes recruiting a vice chair and five associate chairs in internal medicine,” he said.

McPherson is an established clinical researcher in cardiovascular imaging and vascular biology who has received continual funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Canadian Heart Foundation and private foundations for nearly 25 years.

"Dr. McPherson is a proven physician leader in patient care, research, and education. I look forward to building upon the momentum he has established in cardiology and leveraging that expertise in his new leadership role as chairman of internal medicine," said Juanita Romans, chief executive officer of the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Campus.

Dr. Philip Orlander served as interim chair of the Department of Internal Medicine for more than a year.

“We appreciate the foundation Dr. Orlander has built in his role as interim chair of internal medicine and sincerely thank him for his contributions. Dr. Orlander is an established clinician and a phenomenal educator, and we are grateful for his bridging of this massive department,” said Romans and Dean Colasurdo.

McPherson received his medical degree from the University of Alberta in Canada and completed his internship, residency, and fellowship at Dalhousie University in Canada. He conducted an additional fellowship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is board certified in cardiovascular disease, internal medicine, and echocardiography. Dr. McPherson will officially begin his duties on November 1, 2008.

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