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Message from the CEO

To a healthy new year
Wright Caughman

As we enter a new year, Emory’s Woodruff Health Sciences Center (WHSC) also enters an exciting time of transition.

In January, Christian Larsen became the new dean of the Emory School of Medicine, vice president for health center integration at the WHSC, and chair of the Board of Directors of The Emory Clinic. We are lucky that Dean Larsen has had a long career at Emory—first as an undergraduate, then as a medical student, surgical resident, transplant center director, and chair of surgery. He brings more than 20 years of service as a team builder, a creative problem solver, and a visionary leader to his new role. We also are lucky that Thomas Lawley, who retired from the deanship after 16 years in the position, will continue to serve on the Emory medical faculty.

As the founding director of the Emory Transplant Center in 2001, Larsen built it into one of the foremost research and clinical transplantation programs in the world.

I can sense the excitement across campus as he steps into leadership roles that will bring together people from throughout the WHSC and Emory Healthcare to create synergy and solutions to meet today’s complex health challenges.

As you’ll see in this issue of Emory Health, the appointment of Dean Larsen is just one of many reasons that we have to be excited about what’s in store for the coming year. For example, our faculty and staff continue to take innovative, compassionate approaches to the fight against AIDS, and we’re making real inroads. Articles in this edition highlight the work of clinicians and nurses at the Ponce de Leon Center with HIV patients, along with a group of Emory scientists who are searching for an HIV vaccine.

Indeed, we have many reasons to be excited about the year ahead and to be grateful to all the faculty, staff, students, and supporters who make our lifesaving work possible year in and year out.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2013,

Wright Caughman MD

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