March 1, 2023

Dear colleagues and friends, 

I am honored and humbled to take on the role today of interim dean of Emory School of Medicine. I am so proud of all we have accomplished under the leadership of Dean Vikas Sukhatme and look forward to continuing to build on the trajectory of eminence he began. 

As a foreign medical graduate who first came to Emory as a visiting medical student in 1982 and joined the faculty in 1996, I am grateful for the many opportunities Emory has provided me. I am committed to our students, trainees, faculty and staff and passionate about our tripartite mission. And as a Hispanic physician, I am deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and look forward to working with all stakeholders to continue integrating DEI across Emory SOM missions which is critical to advance Emory’s role as a leading institution in education, biomedical research and patient care.

As I begin this new role I will be listening and learning from all of you.  Emory is fortunate to have talented people that have a profound and palpable impact locally and globally. You may be aware that like many healthcare systems across the country, Emory Healthcare is facing significant financial challenges. I anticipate some turbulent waters ahead, but fundamental strengths of Emory and our people make me confident that we will emerge stronger.  

Thank you again to Vikas Sukhatme, to our leaders across Woodruff Health Sciences and the School of Medicine, and to all of you for your service to our patients, our students and our broader community.

Sincerely,

Carlos 

Carlos del Rio, MD

Interim Dean, Emory University School of Medicine

Interim Chief Academic Officer, Emory Healthcare

Leon L. Haley, Jr. MD Distinguished Professor of Medicine

Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine