To help bolster its clinical research enterprise, the University of Nebraska Medical Center has appointed Jennifer Larsen, M.D., as associate vice chancellor for clinical research.
The appointment, which is effective July 1, was announced today by UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D.
“We’ve wanted to strengthen our clinical research for some time and are excited that Dr. Larsen has accepted the challenge,” Dr. Maurer said. “I have complete confidence that she will elevate our clinical research program and help us move closer to the goal of becoming a world-class academic health sciences center.”
Dr. Larsen is the Louise and Morton Degen and chief of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism. She has served as associate dean of clinical research in UNMC’s College of Medicine since 2006 and director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research since 2007. She also is founder and leader of the Clinical Research Center at The Nebraska Medical Center.
She will work with Christopher Kratochvil, M.D., professor of psychiatry, who was named Feb. 1 as assistant vice chancellor for clinical research and chief medical officer of UNeHealth Corporation. They will both report to Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research.
“Dr. Larsen is uniquely suited to lead UNMC’s clinical and translational research effort,” Dr. Rosenquist said. “With her outstanding scientific, clinical and organizational skills, I fully expect that our clinical research program will grow at the same breathtaking rate that has been shown by the basic sciences over the past decade."
As director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Dr. Larsen has served as principal investigator in leading the development of the UNMC proposal for a multi-million-dollar Clinical and Translational Sciences Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health.
In addition, in her new position, Dr. Larsen will:
· Increase clinical research at UNMC and its partner organizations, The Nebraska Medical Center and UNMC Physicians;
· Coordinate all clinical and translational research and research compliance; and
· Establish education requirements for researchers.
As the state’s only academic health science center, UNMC is on the leading edge of health care. Breakthroughs are possible because hard-working researchers, educators and clinicians are resolved to work together to fuel discovery. In 2009, UNMC’s extramural research support topped $100 million for the first time, resulting in the creation of 3,600 jobs in Nebraska. UNMC’s academic excellence is shown through its award-winning programs, and its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading health care centers. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 550 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.