Robert M. Craft, MD, has been named the interim dean of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s College of Medicine in Knoxville. Dr. Craft succeeds Paul J. Hauptman, MD, who served as dean for four years. Dr. Hauptman will become the dean of the University of Nevada-Reno School of Medicine and chief academic officer of Renown Health.
“Dr. Hauptman’s diligent and dedicated leadership has left the UTHSC College of Medicine in Knoxville on very solid ground with a truly fantastic team,” Dr. Craft said. “This firm foundation will provide the launchpad for the next phase of strategic growth and development.”
In addition to interim dean, Dr. Craft now serves as senior vice president and chief academic officer of the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he completed his residency in 1993. After a fellowship in neuroanesthesiology at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Craft joined UTHSC in 1994 as an assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology. He was later promoted to professor and served as the department’s vice chair, residency program director, and chair.
“As a native Tennessean and alumnus of three UT campuses, I consider this role as a career capstone that fills me with thankfulness for the University of Tennessee and a strong desire to ably serve my alma mater in this capacity,” Dr. Craft said.
“I am delighted that Dr. Craft has accepted our offer to serve as interim dean of the Knoxville campus,” said Scott Strome, MD, FACS, executive dean and vice chancellor for Clinical Affairs at the UTHSC College of Medicine. “His exceptional leadership experience and commitment to both UTHSC and the medical center will advance both institutions as we serve our patients in Knoxville and the surrounding region and provide an outstanding environment for education and clinical practice.”
As interim dean, Dr. Craft looks forward to collaboration in order to achieve the college’s goals. “I plan to partner with many stakeholders to strengthen relationships across the UT System, expand education of the next generation of physicians, and grow the academic presence of the UTHSC College of Medicine in Knoxville through improved recruitment and research,” he said.