Dr. Gene Marsh, who has played an integral role in the tremendous growth of the University Park Regional Campus of Penn State College of Medicine since 2011, is stepping back from his role as associate dean for academic affairs to focus on expanding his Penn State Hershey Medical Group neurology practice in State College. Under Marsh’s leadership, there are now 24 third-year students spending their entire year at that site. Dr. Michael Flanagan has assumed the associate dean role in an interim capacity, effective July 1.
In this role, Flanagan will oversee the educational and research missions at the regional campus, including undergraduate and graduate medical education, and academic collaborations, such as the development of dual degree programs with other colleges and academic departments at University Park.
Flanagan is a professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Penn State Hershey, vice-chair for Family and Community Medicine at the regional campus and medical director of Penn State Hershey Medical Group, Park Avenue. He also served as the clerkship director for the primary care rotation at the regional medical campus from March 2007 to January 2012. Flanagan has conducted funded research and published in the areas of medical education, pertussis infection and nutrition, and was instrumental in establishing two endowments for research in family medicine at the regional campus.
Flanagan is regularly recognized by peers, patients, and students for his clinical and teaching excellence. In 2013, he earned both Exceptional Teacher and Exceptional Role Model recognitions from students in the College of Medicine’s Family and Community Medicine rotation in State College. He was selected as the Best State College Family Doctor in 2013 and as Best State College Doctor in 2009, 2010, and 2012 by State College Magazine.
A search for a new associate dean for academic affairs is already underway.