Wael Sakr, M.D., chair of the Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Department of Pathology, has been named the school’s interim dean.

Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson announced the appointment, which is effective March 1.

Dr. Sakr will continue to chair the Department of Pathology.

“Dr. Sakr has served our medical school community for 31 years and is a trusted leader and champion of the School of Medicine,” President Wilson said. “He is a nationally recognized academic pathologist with a strong record of National Institutes of Health funding and seminal contributions in his field of study.”

He has also assumed leadership roles in professional and community-based organizations, including the National Arab American Medical Association and the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services.

Dr. Sakr’s initial responsibility, President Wilson said, will be to “stabilize and focus the School of Medicine organization, and position it for success. … Dr. Sakr has my full support to lead the School of Medicine decisively, and I ask that you give him your support as well.”

In his capacity as interim dean, Dr. Sakr will chair the board of directors of Wayne Health.

He also will serve on the new Joint Operating Leadership Team comprised of Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Mark Kornbluh, Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Operations David Massaron, Vice Dean of Medical Education Robert Folberg, M.D., and Vice Dean for Finance Thane Peterson. The team will ensure funding for strategic priorities, particularly medical education.

In his announcement, President Wilson said the dual role of dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for Health Affairs will now be split, consistent with the structure in most universities with multiple health sciences schools.

As vice president of Health Affairs, Mark E. Schweitzer, M.D., will focus on clinical affiliations, an integrated approach to health care education and delivery, the establishment of a School of Public Health and fundraising for a new medical education building.