New UNE COM dean assures role of University Health Care in Maine
Marc B. Hahn, D.O., the new Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Senior Vice President for Health Affairs at the University of New England, confirms the doors remain open and active at University Health Care (UHC) clinics.
Dr. Hahn joined UNE on September 11, 2009, and on his first day met with UNE students, faculty, and staff and visited the UHC sites with UNE President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D. Dr. Hahn continues to reach out to students and leaders in the community, both at UNE and throughout the state, "to listen, learn and share."
Dr. Hahn reaffirms that all UHC clinics are open, fully staffed and actively serving patients at all locations.
"We are sensitive to the concerns that have been expressed, and we understand the vital role Maine's medical school fulfills within our community. We plan to take the time necessary to explore all the possibilities to create a successful, sustainable model for the future," he says.
"We know it is time to rethink our current clinical model," he adds. "We want to build an innovative 21st century model that forges meaningful relationships in the community that benefit patients, students, the university's many health-related programs and our state."
UNE's College of Osteopathic Medicine is the state's only medical school, and has graduated more than 2,300 physicians over the past 30 years, many of whom specialize in primary care and serve in rural areas. COM students are engaged in clinical training at UHC and at over 20 other clinical sites throughout the Northeast.
"Dr. Hahn brings exemplary credentials, strategic vision, and proven leadership to the University and the College of Osteopathic Medicine," says Ripich.
He served as the Senior Vice President for Health Affairs for the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth and the Dean of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2001 through 2008. As Dean, he oversaw tremendous growth in the academic programs, bio-medical research, clinical and administrative aspects of both the medical school and the physician assistant studies program.
Prior to accepting the appointment with the University of New England, Hahn was serving as a Scholar-in-Residence with both the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and the Association of American Medical Colleges, where he examined issues related to undergraduate medical education, accreditation and the supply of physicians.
Dr. Hahn was a 1998-1999 Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, District of Columbia. In that capacity, he served as a Health Advisor to the United States Senate Committee on Finance. He was involved with legislative issues pertaining to the federal Medicare program, quality in healthcare, and graduate medical education funding.