WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Steven M. Block, M.B., B.Ch., has been named as associate dean for faculty services and career development of Wake Forest University School of Medicine by William B. Applegate, M.D., dean.
Block will succeed Sally A. Shumaker, Ph.D., who was named associate dean for research this past May. Shumaker has also been continuing to act as associate dean for faculty services pending a replacement. Block will assume his new post in October.
“As academic medical centers evolve, it is important to have a dean’s leadership position whose major focus is career development and career enhancement of the faculty,” said Applegate. “Steve Block is a highly respected professor whose credibility with the faculty is such that he will be a strong advocate for their issues and concerns.”
Applegate added, “Steve Block is one of the most passionately committed faculty to the pursuit of all three areas of our mission – research, teaching and clinical care.”
Block is professor of pediatrics and medical director of neonatal intensive care services in Brenner Children’s Hospital, a part of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He was also chair last year of the Fringe Benefit Committee, a faculty committee that works with the associate dean for faculty services.
Block has been popular with the medical students, winning the Charles Brian Clark Award in May for outstanding service to the senior class. The class of 2004 also dedicated their yearbook, Gray Matter, to him. In 2003, he received the Friend of Students award from the same class. Block had served as mentor to the class of 2004 since they arrived at the medical school.
He is a 1973 graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was awarded the M.B., B.Ch. degree, the South African equivalent of M.D. He took his internship and residency at Johannesburg Hospital from 1974 to1976 and completed his residency at University of Colorado School of Medicine from 1977 to 1981. He took a fellowship in neonatal/perinatal medicine from 1981 to1983, also at the University of Colorado.
Block is board certified in pediatrics and neonatal/perinatal medicine. In 2003, he was honored with membership in Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honorary society.
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Media Contacts: Robert Conn (rconn@wfubmc.edu), Shannon Koontz, shkoontz@wfubmc.edu, or Karen Richardson, krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu, at 336-716-4587.
About Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center: Wake Forest Baptist is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which operates the university’s School of Medicine. The system comprises 1,282 acute care, psychiatric, rehabilitation and long-term care beds and is consistently ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report.