UNLV School of Medicine Dean Resigns Amid Transition

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The Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, a symbol of educational advancement.

News Summary

Dean Marc Kahn of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV has announced his resignation after a transformative tenure. Kahn will return to faculty and assume the role of Chief of Hematology in the Department of Internal Medicine. His leadership marked significant accomplishments, including the inaugural graduation of medical students and the enhancement of healthcare education in Southern Nevada. The university community now faces a period of transition as the search for a new dean begins.

Las Vegas Welcomes Change as UNLV Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine Dean Steps Down

Las Vegas, a city known for its dazzling lights and vibrant lifestyle, is witnessing a significant change in its educational landscape as Dean Marc Kahn of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV announces his resignation. This Friday marks the end of his impressive tenure as dean and vice president for health affairs, a role he has cherished. After leading the school through a challenging yet pivotal time, he will transition back to faculty and take on the role of Chief of Hematology in the Department of Internal Medicine.

Reflecting on Tenure

Marc Kahn has cited serving as dean as one of the greatest honors of his professional life. During his time in the role, Kahn has not only focused on the development of future physicians but has also prioritized enhancing health care in Southern Nevada. Since joining the medical school in April 2020—just as the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic—Kahn faced extraordinary challenges head-on. He successfully ensured that education, research, and patient care continued without interruption.

Milestones and Achievements

One of the highlights of Kahn’s leadership was overseeing the first graduation ceremony of the medical school in 2021, celebrating the accomplishments of students who began their journey in 2017. At that time, Las Vegas held the title of the largest metropolitan area in the U.S. without a medical school granting MD degrees. With Kahn at the helm, the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine secured full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, a significant achievement that speaks volumes about the quality of education being offered.

Additionally, Kahn played a pivotal role in developing the school’s first permanent facility, the Kirk Kerkorian Medical Educational Building. This move symbolized a new beginning for the medical school and its growing community. Under his leadership, every graduating student secured a job on Match Day, with their scores on national board exams meeting or exceeding the national average.

Enhanced Opportunities for Students

During his time as dean, the school noticed an impressive uptick in research expenditures and successfully established two endowed chairs to further enhance research initiatives. The commitment to serving the community was evident as the school opened two no-cost care clinics for students in the Clark County School District and developed a free clinic program for Southern Nevadans in need. Furthermore, the size of the medical student class increased by 10%, reflecting an expanding interest in medical education in the region.

Expanding Graduate Medical Education

Kahn’s leadership led to the expansion of graduate medical education programs, which now include specialties such as forensic pathology and forensic psychiatry. His expertise as a hematologist and medical oncologist brought invaluable insight, benefiting both students and faculty alike. Prior to his appointment at UNLV, Kahn served as senior associate dean at Tulane University School of Medicine and is an esteemed graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated summa cum laude and was elected to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society.

What’s Next for UNLV?

With Kahn’s resignation, the UNLV community faces a period of transition and reflection. Chris Heavey is currently stepping in as the officer in charge while the search for a permanent successor begins. This transition comes just over a month after UNLV President Keith Whitfield also stepped down, adding an interesting layer to the developments within the university. As the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine continues to evolve, the leadership team has yet to name an interim dean or outline future plans.

As we bid farewell to Dean Kahn, there’s a palpable sense of excitement and curiosity about what lies ahead for both him and the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine. One thing is for certain—the contributions he has made will echo in the halls of the medical school for years to come.