School of Medicine and Dentistry names new associate deans

Mark B. Taubman, M.D., dean of the University of Rochester School of Medicine, has appointed new associate deans for faculty development and for academic affairs.

Janine R. Shapiro, M.D. (R ’85), associate professor of anesthesiology, was named associate dean for faculty development, to direct the office that helps faculty improve their teaching skills and gain a better understanding of mentoring, academic career development and leadership.

Jeffrey M. Lyness, M.D. (BA ’82, M ’86), professor of psychiatry, was appointed to the new position of associate dean for academic affairs for the School of Medicine and Dentistry. The Office for Academic Affairs supports the collective and individual successes of School faculty, including processes for appointments, reappointments and promotions.

“Janine Shapiro and Jeff Lyness bring excellent skills and leadership to these important positions that will serve the School of Medicine and Dentistry today and in the future,” Taubman said.

Shapiro has a longstanding interest in education, mentoring more than two dozen residents, serving on education committees for more than 20 years and teaching numerous seminars. She has been director of faculty development since 2009 and is the founding chair of the Medical Education Research Interest Group of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. She was the William S. McCann Dean’s Teaching Fellow from 2007 to 2009.

A graduate of the University of Montreal Medical School, Shapiro came to the Medical Center as a resident in 1983. As associate dean, she succeeds Denham S. Ward, M.D., Ph.D., who has retired as associate dean and as chair of the Department of Anesthesiology.

Lyness has been director of curriculum for medical student education since 2008 and medical director of continuing medical education since 2010. He has served on numerous committees and task forces assessing or developing programs, curricula and strategic plans. He has led clinical investigations and research training programs supported by National Institutes of Health grants over a 15-year period.

Lyness joined the faculty as a senior instructor and fellow in 1990. He has been associate chair for education in the Department of Psychiatry since 2007. Director of the Medical Center’s geriatric psychiatry program since 1999, he is the immediate past president of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.

In his new role, Lyness will assist Richard I. Burton, M.D. (R ’64), senior associate dean for academic affairs, who has served in the position since 2003.