Termuhlen named UND SMHS Vice Dean and Chief Operating Officer

The Dean’s Office at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) has announced Paula Termuhlen, M.D., FACS, MAMSE, as Vice Dean and Chief Operating Officer of the School.

“I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Termuhlen,” said SMHS Dean Dr. Marjorie Jenkins. “She is a nationally respected physician leader, surgical educator, and accreditation expert who brings to UND a remarkable record of leadership in academic medicine, organizational operations, accreditation, and graduate medical education.”

Termuhlen brings to UND a long and distinguished career that includes leadership roles with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the American College of Surgeons, the Association of Program Directors in Surgery, and the Association of American Medical Colleges. She has also contributed significantly to the advancement of medical education scholarship.

Termuhlen most recently served as President, CEO, and the Hal B. Jenson Dean of the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, where she led institutional and research strategic planning, and guided successful LCME and Higher Learning Commission reaccreditation. Before that, she served as Regional Campus Dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Duluth campus, where she advanced a mission-centered model of medical education with an emphasis on rural and Native American populations.

“Dr. Termuhlen’s breadth of experience across institutional governance, operational leadership, accreditation, faculty affairs, and educational innovation makes her exceptionally well suited for this role,” continued Jenkins, thanking the SMHS Vice Dean Search Committee chairs Drs. Susan Zelewski and Dinesh Bande. “Her leadership will be an important asset as UND SMHS continues to serve North Dakota through improving the health of our communities, strengthening our academic enterprise, and preparing the healthcare workforce of the future.”

Termuhlen will begin her Vice Dean role at UND on May 18, 2026.