From the Dean: The only constant is change

This past Monday there was a very special event for Susan and me. President Armacost, on behalf of UND, oversaw a celebration of what we together have accomplished over the past 15 plus years that I’ve had the pleasure and honor of serving as Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of your School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Andy served as the master of ceremonies and there were kind remarks shared by people both from UND as well as the community. I was impressed and humbled by the many people in the audience, some of whom traveled substantial distances to be at the celebration, including Mr. John Kutch, President and CEO of Trinity Health in Minot along with Dr. Scott Knutson, Chief of Staff. Similarly, the CEO of Sanford Health Fargo, Tiffany Lawrence, along with Dr. Doug Griffin, Chief Physician, came up to Grand Forks, as did Senators Tim Mathern and Judy Lee along with North Dakota Medical Association (NDMA) President Dr. Stephanie Dahl. It was a pleasure to see Lt. Governor Tammy Miller and Courtney Koebele, the Executive Director of the NDMA. Special gratitude and thanks are extended to UND SMHS graduates, generous donors, and personal friends Drs. Robert Arusell and Janelle Sanda who travelled up to Grand Forks to attend the event. Among Bob’s numerous accomplishments is that he is the first graduate of the School’s four-year M.D. program, aided by the fact that his last name starts with the letter “A”! Perhaps the prize-winner for travel distance was Dr. Tom Arnold, Chair of the UND SMHS Advisory Council, who travelled all the way from Dickinson, N.D., and drove back home that same night!

In my remarks of thanks that followed the generous and much-appreciated comments by President Armacost and others, I expressed my profound gratitude to the various members of the SMHS community who are so supportive of the School and its mission. I am proud of the overall cohesiveness of the many people both within and outside the SMHS who contribute so importantly to its mission.

Among the many people in that community whom I’d like to thank are the following:

• SMHS – The entire team of staff, faculty, and students, led by Chief of Staff Dr. Judy Solberg along with an outstanding cadre of senior leaders in education, research, and service to the people of North Dakota.
• SMHS Advisory Council, led by Chair Dr. Tom Arnold, with special thanks to the four legislators on the Council: Rep. Gretchen Dobervich, Sen. Robert Erbele, Sen. Tim Mathern, Rep. Jon Nelson.
• UND Alumni Association & Foundation, led by CEO DeAnna Carlson-Zink and her associates. Special thanks to Jeff Dodson, senior development director for the SMHS and past development director Dave Miedema.
• UND – I’ve had the honor of serving under five presidents during my tenure (not including me when I was UND President temporarily from 2019-2020), but they saved the best for last! It has been a true pleasure to work with Andy Armacost and my fellow vice presidents and deans.
• Community – Thanks to all our friends and supporters in Grand Forks and beyond; to our generous donors; and special thanks to the physicians and other healthcare providers who help train our students.
• North Dakota Medical Association, led by Executive Director Courtney Koebele and President Dr. Stephanie Dahl.
• State Board of Higher Education (SBHE), led by Chair Tim Mihalik and fellow board members. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Casey Ryan, who has been a beacon of support and guidance over the years, first as President of Altru Health System in Grand Forks and more recently as a SBHE member.
• The North Dakota University System, led by Chancellor Mark Hagerott and his associates.
• Executive Branch of state government, led by Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller.
• The state agencies, especially the Department of Health and Human Services and the State Health Officer Dr. Nizar Wehbi.
• Legislative Branch, especially our area legislators, including Reps. Mark Sanford and Gretchen Dobervich as well as many others, including Reps. Bob Martinson and Jon Nelson along with Sens. Tim Mathern and Judy Lee.
• Congressional delegation, with special thanks to Sen. Hoeven who expressed his regret for not being able to be there in person with a thoughtful video.
• Hospital Systems in the state and their leadership, with special appreciation for the hard-working folks who work in rural communities across North Dakota. In Grand Forks, Altru Health System, led by CEO Todd Forkel; in Fargo, Tiffany Lawrence, CEO of Sanford Fargo, Dr. David Herman, CEO of Essentia Health, and at the Fargo VA Health Care System, Dr. Breton Weintraub and Interim Health Care System Director Rodney Gellner; in Bismarck, Sanford Bismarck CEO Dr. Todd Schaefer and CEO Reed Reyman of CHI St. Alexius Health; and in Minot, Trinity CEO John Kutch. Special recognition and thanks go to Dave Molmen, the former CEO of Altru Health System and long-time chair of the SMHS Advisory Council.
• Dear friends, like Drs. Bob Arusell and Jenelle Sanda.
• And most importantly, my family, starting with my wife Dr. Susan Farkas, along with my brothers Luke and Rob and their spouses, our children Esther and Andris and five wonderful grandkids, two of whom are or shortly will be teenagers. My, does time fly!

Finally, I’d like to offer my warmest welcome to UND’s next vice president for Health Affairs and dean of your UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Dr. Marjorie Jenkins. Susan and I wish Dr. Jenkins all the best as she takes the helm of the School and we have no doubt that she’ll take the School and its many programs to even greater heights.

It has been an amazing 20 years at UND and 15 years as Vice President and Dean. Thanks to all!

Joshua Wynne, MD, MBA, MPH
Vice President for Health Affairs, UND
Dean, UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences