Archana “Archie” Chatterjee, MD, PhD, a nationally recognized educator, researcher and specialist in pediatric infectious diseases, has been selected as the new dean of Chicago Medical School and vice president for medical affairs, after a national search process. She assumed her new roles on April 6, 2020.

Dr. Chatterjee joins RFU from University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (USD SSOM)/Sanford Children’s Specialty Clinic, where she served as professor and chair for the Department of Pediatrics.

RFU President and CEO Dr. Wendy Rheault said that Dr. Chatterjee “brings to CMS the experience, passion and proven commitment that uniquely aligns with our community-based programs and our mission to improve wellness through innovative medical education, research and community service.”

“The climate in academic medicine is evolving rapidly, as new medical school curricula, innovations in healthcare delivery and payment models are implemented, and as resources for research and education fall behind,” Dr. Chatterjee said. “I understand and appreciate the dynamics of a medical school like CMS, which has a strong tradition of excellence and innovation. I cherish the opportunity to impact the training of future physicians.”

Dr. Chatterjee’s secondary appointments with USD SSOM included: chief pediatric medical officer, Sanford Health; clinical investigator, Sanford Research; and clinical professor, Center for Health Policy and Ethics, Creighton University School of Medicine. She was also the USD SSOM senior associate dean for faculty development — a role she sought upon identifying a need to help medical school faculty with their professional growth. She also served as an SSOM graduate faculty member and professor for the Section of Ethics and Humanities and the USD/South Dakota State University Master of Public Health program.

Other highlights of Dr. Chatterjee’s academic medical leadership include the supervision and nurturing of a pediatric residency program, implementation of a new curriculum and the founding of a Women in Medicine and Science program at USD SSOM.

Board certified in general pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases, she is nationally recognized for her work in vaccine development for human papilloma viruses and in antibiotic resistance. She has completed more than 100 clinical trials and published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles, 23 invited review articles, 17 book chapters and one book. Her most recent national presentations have addressed life-work integration, pathways to leadership and strategic career planning.

Dr. Chatterjee is a past fellow of the prestigious Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Council of Deans Fellowship. She has participated in both LCME site visit teams and preparation for successful site visits at Creighton and USD medical schools. Her current and past national leadership roles include membership on several advisory boards and committees, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, and AAMC Steering Committees for the Group on Faculty Affairs and Group on Women in Medicine and Science. She also serves on committees of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.

The first woman and person of color to serve as dean of CMS, Dr. Chatterjee, a native of India, earned her medical degree from the Armed Forces Medical College at Pune University in India and her PhD from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. She completed her residency and a pediatric infectious diseases fellowship at Creighton University/UNMC.

“I look forward to working with Dr. Chatterjee, who is driven by her commitment to clinical and academic excellence,” said Provost Nancy Parsley, DPM, MHPE. “She has championed and mentored both faculty and students throughout her career. She is dedicated to improving access to the medical profession, to improving health and well-being, and to building strong bonds and fruitful collaborations within the university community and beyond.”