Vice President for Health Affairs and
Dean, School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Jeffrey S. Akman, M.D., was named the Vice President for Health Affairs and the Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) in 2013 after serving as interim VPHA and Dean since 2010. As dean, he leads the 11th oldest medical school in the United States — an institution that is widely recognized for its commitment to biomedical research, for excellence and innovation in medical and health sciences education, and for its commitment to improving the health and well-being of our local, national, and global communities. In his capacity as vice president for health affairs, he serves on GW President Steven Knapp's Leadership Council and as a liaison between the university and its clinical partners, including the GW Medical Faculty Associates, the GW Hospital, and the Children's National Medical Center.
Dr. Akman received his medical degree from GW in 1981 and completed his psychiatry residency at GW in 1985, serving as chief resident in psychiatry. He then joined the GW psychiatry faculty where he directed every medical student course in behavioral sciences and psychiatry as well as serving as Director of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry. From 1991-2000 Dr. Akman also served as the assistant dean for student educational policies before being appointed to associate dean for student and faculty development and policies. Dr. Akman was appointed as the Leon M. Yochelson professor and chair of the GW Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in 2000. As chair he led the department's financial turnaround, recruited nationally recognized faculty, and set a vision that led to national recognition for the department's residency training and medical student education programs.
Dr. Akman held this position until 2010, when he was appointed the Interim Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of SMHS. In this capacity, Dr. Akman led the reorganization of the medical center, increased philanthropy to the school, and recruited nationally-recognized chairs and faculty members. In addition to his leadership roles within the University, Dr. Akman continues to teach medical students and he maintains a clinical practice.
Dr. Akman is one of a handful of psychiatrists who defined and developed the field of HIV/AIDS psychiatry in the mid-1980s. He was the principal investigator of an NIH grant to train and educate health care professionals in medical and mental health aspects of HIV/AIDS. Dr. Akman is a member of D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray's Commission on HIV/AIDS where he also chairs the Treatment on Demand Committee.
Dr. Akman has received multiple awards for medical education, community service, and humanism in medicine. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the prestigious American College of Psychiatrists. He has a long history of service to his profession and to the community having served on numerous nonprofit boards of directors.
In addition, Dr. Akman served as a member of the Board of Directors of the GW Alumni Association and is a recipient of the GW Distinguished Alumni Service Award.