The George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) made several leadership changes to head the MD Program, GW Resiliency & Well-being Center, and the Office of Student Affairs to start the new year.
Leading the appointments is Lorenzo Norris, MD, who officially began service as the Interim Senior Associate Dean for MD Programs Jan. 1, following the retirement of Richard J. Simons, MD.
Since arriving at GW in 2006, Norris has held multiple leadership positions, including director of the GW Hospital psychiatry consult liaison services; medical director of psychiatric and behavioral services for GW Hospital, and associate residency director for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. He regularly publishes in academic journals and presents at academic symposia and national meetings on themes of cancer survivorship and brief psychotherapy modalities.
“I am delighted that Lorenzo has agreed to serve as interim senior associate dean for MD programs,” said Barbara Lee Bass, MD, FACS, vice president for health affairs, Dean of GW SMHS, and Walter A. Bloedorn Chair of Administrative Medicine. “He brings a blend of experiences that make him well-suited to lead our MD program, from his work in student affairs, to taking on the roles of chief wellness officer, and the medical director of the Resiliency & Well-being Center (R&W Center).”
Simons served as senior associate dean for 10 years, shepherding SMHS through two successful LCME accreditations, as well as the continuous accreditation of GW’s ACGME graduate medical education programs and institutional sponsorships.
In addition, Dean Bass said, “Dr. Simons led the efforts to expand our clinical affiliations, create our new GW regional medical school campus at LifeBridge Health, develop our relationship with the Anne Arundel Medical Center, and initiate a coaching program for MD students – all while continuing his teaching and clinical practice as an internist.”
The appointment of Norris as the Interim Senior Associate Dean for MD Programs opened the door for several additional leadership updates in the GW R&W Center and the Office of Student Affairs.
In the R&W Center, Leigh A. Frame, PhD, MHS, began serving as Interim Director and Chief Wellness Officer, effective Jan. 1.
Frame is an associate professor in the Departments of Clinical Research and Leadership and Physician Assistant Studies, and she previously served as the Associate Director of the R&W Center.
In her new administrative roles, she will be responsible for leading the R&W Center’s operational and administrative functions.
Darshana Bhattacharyya, MD, has been named Medical Director of the R&W Center beginning Feb. 1.
Bhattacharyya serves an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. In her new, part-time administrative role, she will be responsible for the administration of the clinical services provided by the R&W Center.
In the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) – MD Program, Steven Davis, MD, was named Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Administration, effective Jan. 1.
Davis, an associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, has served in the Dean’s office since 2021, overseeing the Office of Student Professional Enrichment and Financial Aid. In his new role, Davis will take on added administrative responsibilities for the Office of Student Affairs, including oversight of the office’s budget and staff.
Kathryn Marko, MD, FACOG, MSCP, has been named Interim Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, effective Jan. 1.
Marko is an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has served for the past seven years as the department’s Residency Program Director.
In her new role, she will focus on supporting students through advising on career planning and residency applications.
