The search for the MU School of Medicine, Department of Medicine Chair was launched. Nominations and confidential questions about the search and role can be sent to Maria Lopez-Mendez, Director of Recruitment at Maria.Lopez-Mendez@health.missouri.edu.
Search Committee
Chair:
Ross Zafonte, DO
Executive Vice Dean for Clinical Academic and Faculty Affairs, Professor – PM&R
Co Chair:
Frederick W. Fraunfelder, MD, MBA
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Chair of Ophthalmology
Roy E. and Elizabeth Patee Mason Distinguished Professorship in Ophthalmology
Committee Members:
Stevan Whitt, MD
Chief Medical Officer, MU Health Care
Sr. Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
Professor of Medicine;
Divisions of Pulmonary, Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases
Tonya Johnson, DNP, RN
Chief Operating Officer
Stephen Barnes, MD
Chair of Department of Surgery
Hugh E. Stephenson, M.D. Chair of Surgery
Professor of Surgery
Brandi R. French, MD
Chair, Department of Neurology
Professor of Clinical and Vascular Neurology
Medical Director Inpatient Neurosciences Unit and MO Stroke Program
Program Director Vascular Neurology Fellowship
Laura Hesemann, MD
Chair of Department of Pediatrics
Chief Medical Officer
Director, Division of Pediatric Nephrology
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Professor of Medicine
Scott Rector, PhD
Professor of Nutrition & Exercise Physiology and Medicine
Director, NextGen Precision Health Building
Associate Dean for Basic Sciences and Research Infrastructure, School of Medicine
Interim Director, Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center
Laine Young Walker, MD
Chair of Department of Psychiatry
Clinical Service Chief of Psychiatric Services
Robert J. and Betty Douglas Distinguished Chair in Psychiatry
Professor of Psychiatry
Please send any additional inquiries or feedback to Maria.Lopez-Mendez@health.missouri.edu.
Reviewed 2025-05-30