New dean named for our school of medicine

After an extensive national search, the board of directors of the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine has named John L. Dalrymple, MD, as the school’s new dean and CEO. Dr. Dalrymple, a physician, educator, and women’s health expert, brings a wealth of academic leadership and teaching experience, respected expertise as a practicing physician, a proven record of delivering quality medical education, and a commitment to advancing equitable health care.

“Dr. Dalrymple’s dedication to championing inclusivity and diversity in medical education and the health profession will inspire and empower our faculty, staff, and students to continue shaping the future of medical education and health care delivery,” said Holly Humphrey, MD, chair of the KPSOM board of directors. “His appointment marks an exciting chapter in the history of the school, and we are confident that Dr. Dalrymple will lead us in making a profound impact on the communities we serve. Together, we will ensure that our school remains at the forefront of innovation, equity, compassionate care, and excellence in medical education.”

Dr. Dalrymple currently serves as the senior associate dean for medical education at Harvard Medical School, the first person to serve in that role. He holds the Ellen and Melvin Gordon Professorship in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology and Medical Education and serves as executive vice chair and vice chair for faculty development and faculty affairs within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

“I am deeply honored and immensely humbled to become part of this innovative, vibrant, and forward-thinking school and world-class health care organization. I am eager to join such a dedicated and diverse faculty, staff, and student body who will continue to shape the future of medicine and medical education and will ultimately impact the health and well-being of communities far and wide,” said Dr. Dalrymple. “What an exciting time to be joining the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine, after the inaugural class graduates and the school looks to the future and the many promises, challenges, and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Dr. Dalrymple oversaw the establishment of Harvard Medical School’s Office of Medical Education, following the consolidation of the offices of Educational Quality Improvement and Curriculum Services. Prior to that, he led the formation of the school’s Office of Educational Quality Improvement. Dr. Dalrymple also served on the leadership team at the then newly formed University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School as the assistant dean for clinical integration working with faculty and staff to develop the school’s new curriculum.

Dr. Dalrymple’s first faculty appointment was at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, where he practiced gynecologic oncology for more than 12 years and began working in medical education as a clerkship director and as the director of curriculum affairs in the Office of Medical Education.

Nationally, Dr. Dalrymple has been a key leader with the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, serving on the board of directors and currently as APGO president. His scholarly interests include ob-gyn education, clinical and surgical skills training, professional identity formation, and assessment, and he publishes and speaks nationally in these areas. He has also won numerous teaching awards at each of the schools where he has served on the faculty in both the University of Texas and University of California health systems.

Dr. Dalrymple earned his bachelor’s degree with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, both Harvard-affiliated, and his fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Dr. Dalrymple will begin his service as dean and CEO on July 1, 2024.

Dr. Dalrymple replaces Founding Dean and CEO Mark Schuster, MD, PhD, who last year announced he would step down at the end of June 2024 after the school’s inaugural class graduates. Dr. Schuster will remain a professor in health systems science at KPSOM with a primary research focus.