Dr. Wood comes to the new college with more than 50 years of medical and professional experience, much of which has been spent working in academic leadership. Most recently, Wood served as the vice president for health affairs and dean at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“Dr. Wood is one of the most respected and experienced leaders in Osteopathic Medical education with a focus on leading innovation in health care and education,” CHSU President Florence Dunn said in a statement.

“He shares our vision for training physicians with a focus on family medicine and primary care with a desire to serve the Central Valley, especially those in rural and underserved areas.”

In addition to serving as a dean or senior vice president at several medical schools throughout the nation, including A.T. Still University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona and the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University, Wood is also principal investigator for an Inter-Professional Education project entitled, From Campus Curriculum to Rural Community Health Center: A Statewide Model of Osteopathic Inter-Professional Education.

Wood also served as president for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine from 1995-2005.

Wood has received numerous accolades for his work in osteopathic education, and, in 2011, was named a “Great Pioneer in Osteopathic Medicine” by the American Osteopathic Association.

Wood holds a Ph.D in educational evaluation and research in medical education from Wayne State University in Detroit, certifications in nephrology and internal medicine from the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine, a Doctor of Osteopathy from Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan.

“I am excited for the opportunity to launch another new College of Osteopathic Medicine, especially in a region that desperately needs primary care physicians,” Wood said in a statement. “CHSU’s mission and the great need for more equitable and improved access to health care inspires me to lead this extraordinary initiative.

“I look forward to working with our community partners and recruiting a stellar team of administrators and faculty to help recruit and retain local students to our top-tier medical program.”