Dean Robert M. Mentzer, Jr., recently named Lawrence Morawa, M.D., interim chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Morawa is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon practicing at the Oakwood Healthcare System. He received his medical degree at University of Michigan in 1967 and completed postgraduate training at both Oakwood Hospital and Wayne State University.
In addition, Dr. Morawa has served as a voluntary faculty member in the department. He is a skilled surgeon and scholar, having authored numerous articles, and has been invited to speak nationally and internationally on orthopaedic practices.
"The School of Medicine stands prepared to rebuild the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery," Dean Mentzer wrote in a letter announcing the appointment. "As a committed clinical partner of Wayne State University, the Oakwood Healthcare System is a primary participating institution for the developing WSU-sponsored Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Training Program. Dr. Morawa's training and clinical experience, as well as his standing at Oakwood, position him well to lead development of this training program."
In addition, as announced by President Irvin Reid, Joseph Dunbar, Ph.D., has been appointed as WSU associate vice president for research. Dr. Dunbar will concurrently serve as chief scientific advisor to Dean Mentzer, with a charge of developing collaborative research relationships among investigators from the School of Medicine as well as from other WSU schools and colleges.
Following appointment of Dr. Dunbar to his new position, David Lawson, Ph.D., has been appointed as interim chairman of the Department of Physiology. Dr. Lawson is a professor emeritus of physiology in the School of Medicine. His research focuses on integrative responses of experimental rodents to common experimental manipulations and housing conditions.
Dr. Lawson is a member of the American Physiological Society, the Endocrine Society and the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science. He served for 21 years as a member of the WSU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, including distinguished service as the Committee's chair.
"Although Dr. Lawson retired from his full time faculty position, he has remained actively engaged as a faculty member," Dean Mentzer wrote. "His willingness to accept the appointment as interim chairman is a testament to his commitment and dedication to Wayne State University and the School of Medicine."