Donna L. Hammond, PhD, was recently named Executive Associate Dean. Dr. Hammond had been serving as the interim Executive Associate Dean and then briefly as interim dean of the College until the arrival of Dean Debra Schwinn. This appointment will ensure that Dr. Hammond continues to provide valuable leadership for the college as it advances its missions of education, research, service, and clinical care. In terms of formal responsibilities, Dr. Hammond provides oversight for the Office of Information Technologies, the Office of Continuing Medical Education, the Office of Consultation and Research in Medical Education, and the Office of Statewide Clinical Education Programs. She also oversees the operations of the Dean’s Office. In addition, Dr. Hammond works with the Associate Deans for Clinical and Translational Science and for Scientific Affairs and Graduate Education in the research arena, and with the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development in matters related to faculty. Finally, Dr. Hammond plays a key role in the recruitment of executive leaders to the college.

Donna joined the faculty in 2000 as a professor in the Departments of Anesthesia and Pharmacology and, from 2006 through 2010, served as interim head of the Department of Pharmacology. She is an internationally recognized researcher in the neurobiology of pain and is currently the principal investigator on two grants from the National Institutes of Health. She has a strong commitment to mentoring MD and PhD students and resident physicians and is the principal investigator on an interdisciplinary training grant in pain research.