Joe Leigh Simpson, M.D., is a busy man these days. As the College of Medicine’s first associate executive dean of academic affairs, he is responsible for the hiring of faculty and helping to lead the nascent medical school’s accreditation process. Simpson took a leap of faith in accepting the job at FIU, leaving behind a successful career at Baylor College of Medicine. When asked why, he didn’t hesitate in answering.

”This is literally the chance of a lifetime,” he said in a telephone interview, referring to the opportunity to help create a medical school from the ground up. “And this happens to be one of the [new medical schools] that makes sense to me.”

The college is hoping to admit its first class in the fall of 2009.

FIU College of Medicine Dean and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs Dr. John Rock said Simpson’s appointment is of great strategic importance because of his wide recognition within the U.S. scientific community and his administrative experience. In addition to his role in accreditation, Simpson, who is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, will oversee areas such as curriculum development, research and faculty development.

“In an already established program, Dr. Simpson’s role is very important. In a brand new program like ours, however, it is vital,” said Rock. “His administrative experience is extensive and his name in research circles is well-respected by both his peers and the agencies that fund medical research.”

Simpson has been a member of National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine since 1994. President Abraham Lincoln founded the NAS in 1863 to provide policy makers with a group of expert advisors on scientific issues facing the nation. Institute of Medicine members help guide policy on health matters ranging from nutrition to AIDS research.

“For the past 30 years I’ve had a wonderful and productive career, but I’ve never had the honor of being called upon to help start something new,” Simpson said. “I’m looking forward to all the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

FIU is so proud that this distinguished physician is a member of the Golden Panther family that we’re featuring him in a “Best in Class” ad campaign that’s running in The Miami Herald. The campaign began with a spotlight on this year’s valedictorians who chose to attend FIU. In the coming weeks, we will be expanding the campaign to include FIU faculty and researchers, scholar-athletes, student scholars and alumni.

Recently, we met with Simpson and asked him a few questions about what motivates him and his hopes for the future.

My passion:
Reproductive genetics has fascinated me since my days in medical school. I’m interested in the explanations for birth defects and reproductive disorders that affect women.

My pride:
I am proud of having done pioneering work in prenatal genetics diagnosis, first in amniocentesis, then chorionic villus sampling. I’m now working with a biotech firm to offer noninvasive definative prenatal diagnosis through the use of a maternal blood sample.

I’m also proud to serve as the current president of the American College of Medical Genetics.

On starting a College of Medicine at FIU:
You only get one chance in your lifetime to get in on the ground floor of a new medical school. We will be the only public medical school and research institution in South Florida. Most major cities have several medical schools; right now we’ve got only one. I’m looking forward to changing that.

The possibilities:
Medical schools train medical students and develop residency programs that help improve the care of all citizens. To make the best use of the enormous talent that exists here, South Florida really needs the “scaffolding” of academics.

To view the ad, running September, 25 in the The Miami Herald, please click here to download a PDF file.

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