Indiana University School of Medicine Dean Jay L. Hess, MD, PhD, MHSA, presented an update on the state of the school during the Spring All School Meeting on May 2. In case you missed it, here are highlights from school leadership in the missional areas of education, research and clinical care.
DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP
Over the last year, IU School of Medicine has recruited top leaders for several departments:
- Family Medicine: Kola Okuyemi, MD, MPH, started in February 2024, coming from the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah where he was chair of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and executive director for equity, diversity and inclusion at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. In addition to his role as department chair, Okuyemi serves as the associate dean for health equity research at IU School of Medicine. Learn more about Okuyemi’s background, experience and vision.
- Neurological Surgery: Mitesh Shah, MD, was named the department chair in December 2023 after serving as the interim chair since April 2022. He is also co-director of the IU School of Medicine-IU Health Neuroscience Institute.
- Medical and Molecular Genetics: Stephanie Ware, MD, PhD, was named the department chair in September 2023 after serving as the interim chair since January 2023. She is also vice chair of clinical affairs within the department and is director of the cardiovascular genetics program in the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research. Learn more about how Ware is integrating genetics into clinical care.
- Ophthalmology: John Lind, MD, MS, was named department chair in March 2024 after serving as interim chair since July 2023. He joined the IU School of Medicine faculty in 2019 and is a glaucoma specialist.
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (interim): Lisa Landrum, MD, PhD, MS, has been named interim chair while a national search for the next department chair is being launched.
STUDENT SUCCESS
IU School of Medicine continues to prepare for LCME reaccreditation. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education evaluates whether medical schools meet nationally established standards on an eight-year accreditation cycle. The IU School of Medicine accreditation team is conducting self-evaluations in advance of a site visit from the LCME survey team on March 9-12, 2025.
Advancing diversity & student satisfaction
Representational diversity among IU School of Medicine learners has greatly increased over the last 10 years with medical student diversity going up 100% and resident diversity increasing by 84%. Faculty diversity has improved by 50% over the decade.
It is important to build a workforce that mirrors the state’s demographics, Hess said. He commended third-year internal medicine resident Mariel Luna Hinojosa, MD, an IU School of Medicine graduate, for co-founding communities supporting Latine learners and professionals at the undergraduate, medical student and resident/fellow levels.
Hess also recognized the Department of Emergency Medicine for hosting “SPA Day” — Simulations, Procedures and Airway. All senior medical students participated in the session. Objectives included medical decision-making, teamwork, leadership, communication, DEIJ and technical skills.
Medical student satisfaction, progress and proficiency
An independently conducted survey of medical students with a 91.9% response rate showed a large majority (94%) are satisfied with the educational program for clerkships. The survey identified areas of strength and areas for improvement.
Medical student persistence and retention is also increasing — 96% of the 2020 cohort (Class of 2024 graduates) remained at IU School of Medicine for the entirety of their medical education.
Student proficiency is also rising. Scores on NBME subject exams have steadily increased over the last five years, according to 2017-2023 data. IU School of Medicine students perform better than the national average on these exams.
Notably, a perfect 100% of fourth-year medical students passed Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam, and 99.4% passed on their first attempt. This is a critical step in the licensing process for physicians.
Match Day 2024 results
IU School of Medicine celebrated Match Day on March 15, with 98% of fourth-year medical students successfully matching into residency programs across the nation.
- 338 students matched into programs in 39 states, including top-ranked programs at places like Harvard, Johns Hopkins and Washington University—St. Louis.
- 86 graduates matched to IU School of Medicine and IU Health affiliated residency programs.
- Matches represent 23 total medical specialties, and 43.7% matched into primary care programs. The top five specialties among 2024 graduates were internal medicine, pediatrics, anesthesiology, surgery and family medicine.
RESEARCH GROWTH
IU School of Medicine continues to increase its funding for research and innovation.
- IU School of Medicine’s total research funding for the 2023 calendar year was $519 million — up by 13.6% from the previous year.
- Total NIH funding was $253 million — an increase of about 11.2% from 2022.
- IU School of Medicine ranks No. 13 in NIH funding among all public medical schools in the nation and No. 29 among all schools nationally — a record best for IU.
- Four departments more than doubled their funding: Family Medicine, Neurology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
- Departments ranked in the top 15 nationally for funding: Medical and Molecular Genetics (5), Pediatrics (9), Biostatistics and Health Data Science (12), Radiology and Imaging Sciences/Radiation Oncology (15)
Maximizing laboratory space
With the help of consultants, IU School of Medicine has developed a plan for maximizing research space and efficiency. The Medical Education and Research Building now under construction will add new laboratory spaces, and existing research facilities in the Medical Science Building will be enhanced.
IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Delivering leading-edge gene therapy for ALS patients
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. IU Health is administering the first gene-based therapy for ALS patients with SOD gene mutations. The treatment (toferson) delivered through spinal injection appears to slow disease progression. IU School of Medicine has created and maintains NEURO-LinQ, which is the only repository for ALS biospecimens and clinical data in the state.
Improving health equity and outcomes in lung cancer
Black and Latine Americans with lung cancer are 15% less likely to be diagnosed early compared to white Americans. Black men have the highest lung cancer mortality rates in the U.S. Pulmonologist Francesca Duncan, MD, received a PRIME grant for a program to improve lung cancer screening through provider education and patient outreach. Duncan’s research contributes to a larger IU-led effort called End Lung Cancer Now.
Unified Medical Group enhances academic mission
The creation of a Unified Medical Group leverages the strength and scale of IU Health and IU School of Medicine to deliver the best patient care. The unified group will provide statewide access to clinical trial enrollment and biobanking. It expands clinical placements and builds a pipeline for students and residents. It emphasizes shared responsibility for the academic mission across the health system, and it allows flexibility around employment related to the nature of work, rather than the location.
FACULTY AFFAIRS & RECOGNITION
2024-25 Faculty Elections
Results of IU School of Medicine faculty elections were announced at the Spring All School Meeting. Timothy Masterson, MD, is the president-elect, and Shannon Hawkins, MD, PhD, is secretary-elect. Full faculty election results may be found on the Faculty Affairs and Professional Development website.
Trustees Teaching Awards
The Indiana University Board of Trustees established this award to recognize excellence in teaching. This year, 57 members of the IU School of Medicine faculty received the award. Congratulations to the school’s outstanding educators!
Did you miss the meeting?
Anyone with an IU login may view a recording of the Spring 2024 All School Meeting.
