SIU Medicine begins national search for next dean and CEO

Southern Illinois University Medicine has launched a national search for its next dean, provost and CEO.

The search will be conducted in partnership with Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm specializing in academic medicine and higher education leadership.

Isaacson, Miller was selected after a competitive process for its depth of experience placing health care leaders, strong record with comparable roles and high-touch, tailored approach to executive recruitment, according to a community announcement.

More: After 43 years, SIU Med's Jerry Kruse plans to step down in 2026

Committee includes leaders from across SIU, SIU Med

The search committee is co-chaired by Rikeesha Phelon, associate provost for strategy at SIU School of Medicine, and Nick Wortman, associate vice chancellor for human resources at SIU Carbondale.

The committee represents a broad cross-section of academic, clinical and administrative leadership and will work closely with Isaacson, Miller to lead the process.

Committee members include:

• Janet Albers, chair, Family Medicine

• Beau Batton, chief, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

• Randy Burnside, executive director, MEDPREP

• Doug Carlson, chair, Pediatrics

• Traves Crabtree, chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery

• Judy Davie, chair, Basic Science

• Lou Graham, associate professor, Clinical Neurology

• John Horvat, associate provost, Finance and Administration

• Deb Klamen, senior associate dean, Education and Curriculum

• Phelon, associate provost, Strategy (Co-Chair)

• Vidhya Prakash, associate dean, Clinical Affairs

• Will Robinson, chief, Vascular Surgery

• Lucy Stafford, vice chair, SIU Medicine Healthcare Board

• Don Torry, associate dean, Research

• Wendi El-Amin, associate dean, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Wortman, associate vice chancellor for human resources (Co-Chair)

• Emily Fahey, fourth-year medical student

Chancellor Austin Lane emphasized the importance of the recruitment.

"The dean, provost and CEO of SIU Medicine plays a vital role in shaping the future of our academic health enterprise and its service to the people of Illinois," Lane said in the announcement. "With Isaacson, Miller's expertise and our strong committee leadership, I am confident this search will attract exceptional candidates who share our commitment to innovation, diversity and community-focused health care."

The search begins immediately. Inquiries, nominations and applications, including a CV and cover letter, should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website.

Updates will be shared with the university and SIU Medicine communities as the process advances.

This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@usatodayco.com with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/ .

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: National search underway for SIU Medicine's next leader