Duane Mezwa, M.D., has been named the Stephan Sharf Dean of Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, where he has served as interim dean since February 2019. He becomes the second permanent dean of OUWB, following the school’s founding dean, Robert Folberg, M.D.

In 2018, the dean's position at OUWB was named after the late Stephan Sharf, a prominent metro-Detroit philanthropist who advocated for the opening of a medical school at Oakland University.

“Dr. Mezwa’s unwavering commitment to the success of OUWB and his proven leadership as interim dean, have prepared him for the role of dean,” said OU Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Michelle Piskulich, Ph.D. “We look forward to continuing our collaborative and beneficial work with Dr. Mezwa in his elevated role as he and the OUWB team prepare students to be compassionate future physicians.”

“Dr. Mezwa has the vision, leadership, experience and collaborative skills to further develop OUWB as a preeminent medical school,” said OU President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz. “We are confident that Dr. Mezwa will lead the school’s student-centered approach while focusing on the impact of the health of patients and our communities.”

Oakland University’s partnership with Beaumont Health is based on shared values and a mission that enables students to become skillful, ethical, and compassionate physicians, and inquisitive scientists.

“Dr. Mezwa served as chair of Radiology at Beaumont Royal Oak, Troy, and Grosse Pointe for many years where he established a strong academic radiology department that is integral to the education of OUWB students. We are thrilled he will continue to help lead and guide the next generation medical students,” said Beaumont Health Chief Medical Officer David Wood, M.D.

As interim dean, Mezwa has led OUWB through the rigorous Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accreditation process, which resulted in the medical school’s reaccreditation for eight years, the maximum amount of time awarded by LCME.

“We are very grateful Dr. Mezwa has long championed clinical and academic excellence at Beaumont. We are extremely pleased he is continuing his leadership role and great work for OUWB,” said Beaumont Health CEO John Fox.

Since March, Mezwa has been instrumental in navigating OUWB through the challenges brought on by COVID-19, working with his administration and health care system partners at Beaumont to keep medical students learning in a safe environment and their education on track.

“I am looking forward to continuing to work in a job that I truly enjoy,” said Mezwa. “I find engaging with the medical students extremely fulfilling, and I value and appreciate the talented and dedicated leaders we have at OUWB and Beaumont Health. Being named dean is a professional highlight of a very rewarding career for me in the field of medicine.”

A Wayne State University School of Medicine graduate, Mezwa is a 40-year employee of Beaumont Health, where he also completed his residency. His career has included roles as program director and vice chair for the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Molecular Imaging.

Mezwa has been involved in OUWB since its inception, having served on the inaugural Admissions Committee and as its vice chair. He has also served on the Deans Executive Committee and chaired the Student Performance Review Committee. Mezwa has also represented the clinical faculty to the AAMC as a member of the Council of Faculty and Academic Societies. He was the health system chair and physician executive of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Molecular Imaging at OUWB until he was appointed Stephan Sharf Interim Dean in February 2019.

Dr. Mezwa has written dozens of peer-reviewed articles, several books and chapters, and many scientific exhibits and presentations, and is having an impact on training the next generation of medical students, either in hospital settings or in lecture halls.