IRVINE : UCI Extends Search for Dean of Medicine

A search will continue through January for a successor to Walter L. Henry as dean of UC Irvine’s College of Medicine, officials said Thursday. Henry resigned abruptly last month.

Officials said the school is looking for someone who can take over the planning of a new health sciences center, scheduled to open in 1995.

“The commitment to a center for health sciences remains unshaken,” said Karen Young, UCI spokeswoman.

Henry, who originally proposed the on-campus research center, resigned after a meeting with Chancellor Laurel L. Wilkening.

She had rejected his proposal to divide his duties as vice chancellor of health sciences and dean of medicine. Wilkening said at the time that the proposal was too expensive.

Wilkening, who was not available for comment Thursday, will meet with academic leaders, the Faculty Senate and community groups throughout January, said Faculty Senate Chairman Jim Fallon.

The meetings are intended to create lists of candidates for both an acting dean and a permanent successor.

“We’re right in the middle of both processes,” Fallon said. “The chancellor said to wait until the end of the month after the input of groups. The acting dean has got to have a lot of qualities both in terms of being able to work closely and well with the hospital director.”

Henry was the subject of criticism in recent years regarding proposed budget cuts and the low ratio of women faculty at the medical center. Some faculty members had said he had problems communicating on a one-on-one level.

But Fallon said Henry did a excellent job of bringing the faculty and administration closer when it came to issues involving the medical school.

Henry also is credited with overcoming the medical center’s $12-million yearly deficit in the five years he had the job. He was responsible for increasing outside funding from $23 million to $37 million.