The medical school dean: leadership and workforce development.

OBJECTIVE: The author reviews the role of deans in US academic medical centers.

METHODS: The author describes the role of the dean of a medical school on the basis of his personal experience and key texts on the topic.

RESULTS: Skills acquired earlier in an academic career are used across a much broader base in the role of dean, and the dean holds a time-honored and privileged position in academic medicine. Fundamental activities of the dean include communication, mentorship, recruitment, and retention.

CONCLUSION: As with any leadership role, the position is not about the person, and a dean serves as a resource to a host of internal constituents and as an ambassador for the institution.