The Office of the Provost shared next steps in the national search for the next dean of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, including the selection of an executive search firm and advisory committee and details about how faculty, staff, and students can provide their input.
Dean James Record, MD, JD, FACP, announced earlier this year his intention to step down as dean and return to a faculty role in the Department of Medical Education and Clinical Sciences once his successor is named. The search is anticipated to conclude in November or December 2026.
Search Firm
Chicago-based executive search firm WittKieffer was selected to help lead the search process. The firm specializes in working with organizations in education, health care, academic medicine, and the life sciences.
Search Advisory Committee
The search advisory committee will by led by the College of Medicine’s Leila Harrison, PhD, MA, MEd, and Courtney Meehan, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The committee will consist of:
- Leila Harrison (Vice Dean, Admissions, Student Affairs, and Alumni Engagement, College of Medicine), Co-Chair
- Courtney Meehan (Dean, College of Arts and Sciences), Co-Chair
- Julie Akers (Interim Dean, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences)
- Ted Chauvin (Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs, College of Medicine)
- Julie Eastlund (Business Director, WSU Health)
- Craig Fischer (Senior Director of Organizational Leadership and Development, College of Medicine)
- Lars Gilberts (Vice President for Market Development, Numerica Credit Union; and Co-Chair, WSU Spokane Advisory Board)
- Delaney Goulet (Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine, College of Medicine)
- Jeff Haney (Senior Vice Provost for Health Sciences, Office of the Provost)
- Susan Hecker (Assistant Dean for Student Learning, College of Medicine)
- David Jenson (Interim Chair, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, College of Medicine)
- Dawn Kopp (Vice Chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine)
- Anne Mason (Interim Dean, College of Nursing)
- Sterling McPherson (Vice Dean for Research, College of Medicine)
- Radha Nandagopal (Vice Dean for Educational and Faculty Affairs, College of Medicine)
- Brett Oglesbee (Senior Director of Finance and Operations, College of Medicine)
- Oladunni Oluwoye (Associate Professor, Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Medicine)
- Ken Roberts (Chair, Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, College of Medicine)
- Don Shearer (Senior Associate Vice President, WSU Foundation)
- Susan Stacey (Chief Executive Officer, Providence Inland Northwest Service Area; and Co-Chair, WSU Spokane Advisory Board)
- Patti Stauffer (Director, Health Sciences Public Policy and Advocacy)
Kristina Peterson-Wilson (Vice Provost for Academic Administration & Chief of Staff) will serve as the administrative manager for the search.
Engagement Sessions and Survey
In June, WittKieffer will host engagement sessions with faculty, staff, and students across the system to develop a firm understanding of the college and the associated needs and expectations required of the next dean. More information regarding these meetings will be available on the search website.
University and community members are also welcome to provide their input regarding the opportunity by completing an online survey from WittKieffer. Survey respondents and responses are confidential. Respondents are not required to provide their names or any identifying information to complete the survey.
Following the engagement sessions, a position profile will be finalized, potential candidates will be thoroughly reviewed, and finalists will be invited to visit WSU.
Submit a Nomination
If you would like to submit a nomination for dean, please send the name to Kristina Peterson-Wilson at kpeterson2@wsu.edu or call (509) 335-8915. All nominations will be treated confidentially.