To the UT Southwestern Campus Community —

It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform you that it has just been announced that Dr. Al Gilman will be appointed Chief Scientific Officer of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) effective June 8, 2009; he will oversee the scientific review and grants review processes of this new state agency. There is no one who could bring greater insight, scientific rigor and integrity to this remarkable Texas initiative.

The commitment that the citizens and government leaders of Texas have made in forming and funding CPRIT has the potential to yield important advances in cancer research and approaches to prevention. It promises new hope for cancer patients and their families everywhere and will establish Texas as a leader in these efforts.

Unfortunately, in assuming this new position, Dr. Gilman will step down from his positions at UT Southwestern Medical Center, which he has served as an outstanding member of our faculty and administration for 28 years. In addition to his leadership as Dean and Provost, his contributions as a scientist, teacher, and department chairman are legion, and his dedication to serving UT Southwestern has been unwavering. On transition to his new role, he will become Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology. In the short time I have served as President, he has been an invaluable advisor, colleague and friend and I am personally deeply grateful to him.

I am sure we all wish Al well in this new role, confident that the scientific programs of CPRIT will be in the best hands possible. Plans to honor Al's tenure at UT Southwestern in the early fall are currently being developed, and I will be communicating those to you once they are finalized.

As you are aware, a search for Dr. Gilman's successor as Dean and Provost was launched in the late Fall and is proceeding. Given the timing of today’s announcement, it will be necessary to appoint an interim Dean to continue the work of the Dean's office until a new permanent Dean/Provost is appointed and able to begin in that position. I expect to make that interim appointment shortly and will write to inform you at that time.

Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D.
President
UT Southwestern Medical Center