Wayne State University School of Medicine Dean Robert M. Mentzer, Jr., M.D., recently announced the appointment of Douglas Czajkowski as executive director of the school's Office of Development and Alumni Affairs.

"The School of Medicine is engaged in a five-year capital campaign that is paramount to our future as a premier institution for medical education, research and patient care," Dean Mentzer said. "I am so pleased that Doug has joined us at this critical juncture. He will work closely with our alumni and friends to ensure that our campaign is a success. This is a team effort and Doug will be a tremendous team leader"

Most recently, Mr. Czajkowski served as senior director of development and alumni affairs for the WSU schools of Law, Nursing and Pharmacy. Before joining WSU in 2005, Mr. Czajkowski was president of the Mount Clemens General Hospital Foundation, where his responsibilities included development, marketing and public affairs.

Mr. Czajkowski, a resident of Orion Township, Mich., holds a master's degree from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree from Saginaw Valley State University .

"The WSU School of Medicine is one of the nation's leading research institutions and is vital to metropolitan Detroit " Mr. Czajkowski said. "I am eager to share the exciting things taking place at the school with the community. My role is to offer meaningful ways for alumni and friends to become more involved in our life-saving mission. We each have an opportunity to be part of something extraordinarily important for our students and the medical community.

The centerpiece of the School of Medicine 's capital campaign is construction of the Richard J. Mazurek, M.D., Medical Education Commons , a state-of-the-art facility that will include a 13,700-square-foot clinical skills center. The center, which will include high-tech computerized patient simulators, mannequins and teaching aids, will allow students to develop patient-centered skills that will help them become effective, compassionate physicians.

Mr. Czajkowski replaces David Lepper, who recently relocated to Pennsylvania to serve as senior vice president for development for Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University .