As most you know, Dr. Robert Kreisberg informed me last year of his desire to begin the process of retiring from the University of South Alabama after more than two decades of service to the institution. Dr. Kreisberg will now begin a well-deserved sabbatical and will retire from USA on February 1.

I am appointing Dr. Samuel Strada as interim dean of the College of Medicine effective immediately. Dr. Strada will be responsible for administration of the college and the basic medical sciences. Dr. Fred Meyer will continue to be responsible for the physician practice plan and will also oversee graduate medical education. Mr. Stan Hammack, associate vice president for hospital affairs, will remain responsible for the hospitals. These individuals will report to the President's Office.

Dr. Kreisberg has a long history as a leader in the USA College of Medicine and the USA Health System. In addition to two terms as dean, he has served as chair of the department of internal medicine, medical chief of staff, and vice president for medical affairs. Dr. Kreisberg returned to USA in 1999, during a very challenging period in the USA Health System. He has since worked diligently to restore the Health System to its current state of stability and growth. He has been instrumental in the important formative years of the USA Cancer Research Institute. Dr. Kreisberg is known to many as a gifted teacher, caring physician, committed mentor, and nationally respected researcher and scholar in endocrinology.

The University will accelerate its orderly and thoughtful search process to secure continued solid leadership in the USA Health System. This is vital, considering the institution's important missions of teaching, research, and providing academic-based health care for the region.

I appreciate Dr. Kreisberg's tireless commitment to USA and look forward to honoring him formally. Meanwhile, those interested in honoring Dr. Kreisberg may contribute to the Robert A. Kreisberg Clinical Scholars Endowment, which recognizes and rewards gifted medical educators. For more information, contact Mr. Jim Rainey at (251) 461-1775 or jrainey@usouthal.edu.

I join the entire University of South Alabama family in thanking Dr. Kreisberg for his many years of service as a teacher, researcher, physician, medical educator, and health care leader.