Wayne State University School of Medicine Dean Robert J. Sokol has announced the appointment of Maryjean Schenk, MD, as interim Chair of the Department of Family Medicine. She is board certified in both family practice and preventive medicine in occupational and environmental medicine. She is the first woman to hold a clinical chair at the School of Medicine, where two women currently hold basic science chairs.

Dr. Schenk is an assistant professor of family medicine at Wayne State and assistant professor and member of the cancer control epidemiology and carcinogenesis program at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. As director of clinical curriculum development at the School of Medicine, she was responsible for the re-organization of the School's public health and preventive medicine course and implementation of the community clinic clerkship.

"I am thrilled to make this announcement about Dr. Schenk," said Dean Sokol. "I am certain that under her leadership the department of family medicine will continue to grow as one of the strongest departments of its kind in our area."

The recipient of an Academic Award for teaching environmental and occupational medicine in medical schools from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Dr. Schenk is also currently funded by the Bureau of Health Professions, National Cancer Institute, and the Department of Defense for research which includes the relationship between DDT and prostate and pancreas cancer.

"Maryjean Schenk brings excellent education, research and administration experience to this position," said Dr. Robert Frank, associate dean of academic and student programs. "The fact that she is widely respected by both colleagues and students points to a successful tenure as chair for Dr. Schenk."

An alumnus of the School of Medicine, Dr. Schenk holds Master's degrees in Health Planning and Administration and Industrial Health from the University of Michigan. She serves on a number of professional committees including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. She is the incoming president of the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics.

Dr. Schenk replaces Paul Werner, MD, who stepped down as chair of the department he led since 1990. "Under Dr. Werner's guidance ours became one of the most highly regarded departments of family medicine in the area, possibly in the country," said Dean Sokol. "His dedication and perseverance have been exceptional in his roles as physician, administrator and mentor." Dr. Werner remains a faculty member within the family medicine department.