Cristin Colford, MD, has been selected to serve as the next vice dean of education for the UNC School of Medicine. She will begin work in this role on Aug. 15.
She currently serves in the department of medicine as executive vice chair and Eunice B. Bernhard Distinguished Clinical Professor. As executive vice chair she provides strategic leadership for our largest clinical department, aligning inpatient, outpatient, and procedural services with UNC Health system goals.
Throughout her time at the school, Dr. Colford has held several leadership roles, including vice chair of clinical services in the department of medicine and interim chief of the divisions of geriatric medicine and general internal medicine. She has also directed multiple medical school courses and helped in the development and implementation of the initial TEC1.0 patient-centered clinical curriculum.
“Dr. Colford brings an exceptional combination of clinical leadership, educational experience, and deep commitment to UNC, making her extremely well-suited to serve as the next vice dean of education,” said Samantha Meltzer-Brody, executive dean of the UNC School of Medicine and chief academic officer of UNC Health. “I am confident she will provide thoughtful, collaborative leadership to our education mission and will help prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals and scientists.”
A longtime Tar Heel, she came to Chapel Hill as a medical student, earned her MD, completed her residency at UNC Hospitals, and served as chief resident in internal medicine before joining the faculty.
An award-winning clinician and educator, Dr. Colford has received the Fleming H. Fuller Award, several Carolina Care Excellence Awards, and the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Academy of Educators. She maintains a general medicine practice and precepts students and residents in the internal medicine clinic reflecting her dedication to patient care and the development of future physicians.
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Colford to this schoolwide leadership role. Please join us in congratulating her.