H. David Wilson to lead KU School of Medicine-Wichita

New dean specialized in pediatrics at North Dakota

H. David Wilson has been named dean of the School of Medicine-Wichita. He will begin July 1.

“Dr. Wilson is a visionary, and the search committee is confident that he has the experience and talent to move the school forward,” said Donna Sweet, professor of internal medicine and chair of the search committee. “What he has accomplished in 14 years at North Dakota — including building a research enterprise — is impressive, and through his national presence in academic medical organizations, he has earned the utmost respect of his peers.”

H. David Wilson

Wilson has served as dean and professor of pediatrics at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences since 1995 and was appointed vice president for health affairs for the university in 2001.

“I look forward to bringing my experience at another community-based medical school to Wichita,” Wilson said. “The school has enormous potential, and I am honored to serve as its dean.”

Wilson is a pediatrician with fellowship training in infectious diseases. He is a graduate of Wabash College and St. Louis University School of Medicine. He was a resident in pediatrics at the University of Kentucky and an National Institutes of Health fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School-Dallas.

Wilson was also a faculty member at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine for 22 years, completing his tenure as professor and associate dean for academic affairs.

During 1988-89, Wilson was an American Council on Education fellow. He has received several teaching awards, including the University of Kentucky Alumni Association’s Great Teacher Award and, in 2008, was recognized by the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Alumni with their Commonwealth Award.

He is a past chair of the American Medical Association’s Governing Council of the Section on Medical Schools.

Wilson served from 2002 to 2007 as the chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges Section on Community-Based Deans. In 2007, Wilson was elected chair of the AAMC Council of Deans. He is the author of more than 50 peer reviewed publications and one book.

“I want to thank the search committee for their time and energy during this important selection process. They have identified a superb leader in Dr. Wilson and I look forward to working with him to achieve many significant accomplishments in the future,” said Executive Vice Chancellor Barbara Atkinson. “I am confident Dr. Wilson will be able to capitalize on our many strengths in Wichita to ultimately improve the health of Kansans.”