Dean John Crissman has announced the appointment of Joseph Brocato, PhD, as assistant dean for community education, effective June 9. Dr. Brocato has also been named executive director of OHEP, a consortium of medical education organizations in southeast Michigan.

Dr. Brocato joins WSU from Horizon Health System, where he was administrative director of medical education for Riverside Osteopathic Hospital in Trenton, Mich. He also served as adjunct assistant professor of the Department of Family and Community Medicine of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University. Previously, Dr. Brocato was responsible for faculty and curriculum development and evaluation for the Medical College of Ohio. His service also includes years of instructional appointments at both Western Michigan University and Michigan State University, where served as faculty within the Office of Medical Education Research & Development and as faculty development specialist of the statewide Consortium for Graduate Medical Education and Training.

Dr. Brocato earned his doctorate in education from Michigan State University. He holds both Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from Western Michigan University.

In his dual roles as executive director of OHEP and WSU assistant dean, Dr. Brocato will oversee standards for medical education and evaluation for 135residency programs at 14 sites. "Dr. Brocato's experience in developing medical curricula, as well as in faculty training and development, will ensure that our students have excellent and valuable clerkship experiences at community hospitals with whom we affiliate," noted Dean Crissman.

With more than 1,000 medical students, Wayne State University is the largest single-campus medical school in the United States.

Note: Dr. Brocato resides in Southgate, Mich.