Steven G. Gabbe, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine, met with medical, graduate and post-doctoral students Oct. 20 in the first “Dean’s Table.” The interactive luncheon was part of an effort to improve communication between the different groups of students, as well as between the students and the administration.
photo by Dana Johnson
Gabbe to chair AAMC’s clinical research task force
Steven G. Gabbe, M.D., dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, has been appointed chair of the second Association of American Medical College's Task Force on Clinical Research. The task force will spend 12-18 months addressing the issues confronting clinical research endeavors, with a focus on institutional infrastructure that supports research.
“In 1998 the AAMC conducted a study on clinical research, which raised the question 'How do we train the next generation of clinical investigators?'” Gabbe said. “Now we're looking at the programs initiated to train young investigators and asking 'What were the outcomes? What are the next steps?’
“My role will be to bring members together, lead the discussions and help develop task force documents.”
The task force has been charged with conceiving new models for creating and sustaining clinical research, which will address administrative issues, infrastructure, faculty development, research support and community-based clinical research.
“The AAMC is very pleased that Dr. Gabbe has agreed to chair this task force, which is critically important at this time,” said David Korn, M.D., senior vice president of the AAMC. “We recognize Dr. Gabbe has a very strong commitment to clinical research and is at an institution, Vanderbilt, with a very strong commitment to clinical research support and training future investigators.”
“I am honored to be asked to chair this task force and to be given an opportunity to contribute to such an important area of academic medicine,” Gabbe said.
“I know I'll learn a great deal that I hope will be helpful to the AAMC and its members, as well as to Vanderbilt.”