U.Va. medical school names interim dean

The University of Virginia and UVA Health leadership last week announced Dr. Colin Derdeyn will soon be its interim dean of the U.Va. School of Medicine.

He is succeeding Dr. Melina Kibbe, who is leaving as dean effective Sept. 3. Kibbe is the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, also known as UTHealth Houston. Last year, Kibbe and then-UVA Health CEO Dr. K. Craig Kent were the subjects of a no confidence vote by 128 UVA Health physicians, who called for the two leaders’ resignations. Kent resigned in February, following a closed-session meeting of the U.Va. Board of Visitors.

U.Va. also announced that Dr. Howard Goodkin, former chair of U.Va.’s neurology department, will serve as Derdeyn’s senior adviser for a period of six months.

Derdeyn received his undergraduate and medical degrees from U.Va. After serving in various clinical and leadership roles at University of Iowa Healthcare and Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes Jewish Hospital, he returned to his alma mater in January 2024 as chair of radiology and medical imaging.

“I will work to build trust, listen to all voices and ensure diverse perspectives are represented in our decisions,” Derdeyn said in a statement addressed to his colleagues. “ Our success depends on harnessing the strengths of every department and discipline. We face real challenges in the months ahead — recruitment, funding pressures, and the need to maintain momentum in a time of change — but I believe our extraordinary people and our dedication to all our missions will carry us forward. Together, we can strengthen our foundation today and position ourselves for lasting success.”

The Charlottesville-based medical school enrolls 156 students each year.