LEADERSHIP 4 Robert Wood Johnson I MEDICINE Profiles JOHN EMERSON Vicente H. Gracias, MD, Serves as Interim Dean B rian L. Strom, MD, MPH, chancel- dent and CEO, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and the Robert Wood Johnson Health System. “We also look forward to further strengthening the relationship with Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and growing our close partnerships with Rutgers President Robert Barchi and Dr. Strom for the benefit of our patients, physicians, and community.” Dr. Gracias received his medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine. He completed residency training in general surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago Metro Group Hospitals, and a fellowship in trauma/surgical critical care at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) Medical Center. Dr. Gracias continued his career at Penn, rising quickly to associate professor of surgery and chief and medical director of surgical critical care services. Dr. Gracias was recruited to the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School faculty in 2009 to lead the creation of a new surgical specialty: acute care surgery. Five years later, critical care service lines have grown from one to three, and multidisciplinary teams have created a successful, coordinated approach for enhanced, quality-driven patient care. Outpatient service lines have also been conceived, designed, and deployed for wound care, hyperbaric medicine, and traumatic brain injury. Two fellowships in surgical specialties were formed and verified, and the first Pediatric Trauma Center in the history of New Jersey was established. lor of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, announced the appointment of Vicente H. Gracias, MD, professor of surgery and chief, division of acute care surgery, as interim dean of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, effective February 1. “Dr. Gracias’s clinical leadership and professional experience will be particularly valuable during this time of transition, as we strengthen our commitment to excellence in efficient clinical care and the advancement of the biomedical and health sciences,” said Dr. Strom. “Working toward optimal alignment between Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) is a strate- gic goal as we move forward.” Dr. Gracias is fellowship trained and board certified in general surgery, trauma surgery, and surgical critical care. He serves as director of both the Adult and Pediatric Trauma Centers at the medical school and RWJUH. He also serves as director of the hospital’s Level 1 Trauma Center. “We look forward to continuing this relationship as Dr. Gracias serves in his new role, leading our medical school partner,” said Stephen K. Jones, presi-