Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce that Bruce Jarrell, MD, FACS, has been named Chief Academic and Research Officer (CARO) and Senior Vice President.

He also will be Dean of the Graduate School. Dr. Jarrell will assume his new role on April 1, 2012.

In his role as CARO, Dr. Jarrell will work collaboratively with the deans and vice presidents, and will be the focal point for all academic matters. He also will be responsible for facilitating the research mission of the University, which will be accomplished by working closely with the deans, the research leadership of the schools, and other individuals to enable the research agenda for the University, ensuring that the proper organizational support is in place to foster successful and collaborative research program development. The CARO also provides leadership for and direction to four important University units — the Graduate School, the Health Sciences and Human Services Library, Campus Life Services, and Academic Services.

Dr. Jarrell also will function as the University's provost in matters related to the University of Maryland Strategic Alliance, and in building and maintaining academic interactions with University System of Maryland institutions.

Dr. Jarrell is currently executive vice dean at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he directs the medical school's education and research enterprises. A surgeon who specializes in kidney and liver transplantation, Dr. Jarrell received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, and completed a residency and fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia. He held faculty positions at Jefferson and the University of Arizona, where he was professor and chair of surgery just prior to coming to Maryland in 1997 to serve as chair of the School of Medicine's Department of Surgery.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Jarrell on his new position.

Sincerely yours,

Jay A. Perman, MD
President