Sarah Peyre named vice dean of education for School of Medicine and Dentistry

As the Warner School dean, Peyre developed a school-wide strategic plan and helped launched new academic programs.

Sarah Peyre, dean of the Warner School of Education and Human Development, has been named the vice dean for education at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) and an associate vice president for clinical education. Peyre will step down as dean of the Warner School on June 30, and will assume her new responsibilities July 1.

A highly respected medical education scholar, Peyre is well known for her work in the field of simulation and the development of educational innovations that support collaborative health-care models. Her work in interprofessional education includes curriculum development on disparities in health care, leadership, and technology. She has worked on several educational research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health, Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, Burroughs Welcome Foundation, and others to improve the areas of expertise, teaming, and educational effectiveness.

As vice dean of education, Peyre will report directly to David Linehan, dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry and chief executive officer of the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). In this new capacity, Peyre will be responsible for overseeing important aspects of medical and graduate education, including student programs and admissions, and will work with school leaders and stakeholders to develop the vision and direction of SMD's educational mission. She will also collaborate with faculty, institutional leaders, and state officials to lead the development and innovation of educational experiences at SMD.

"During her time as dean Sarah has led many positive developments at Warner, including organizational improvements, an increased emphasis on research, and deeper investments in academic programs," says David Figlio, University of Rochester provost and the Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education. "Her proven skills as a strategic and thoughtful leader will deeply benefit the University's medical education and clinical care, and I look forward to collaborating with her in this new role."

As associate vice president for clinical education, Peyre will be responsible for creating a learning strategy for clinical education. Her efforts will include working throughout the Medical Center and with several health care affiliates with the aim of strengthening clinical care delivery through the continued education and growth of the URMC care teams. With particular interest in interprofessional practice, quality improvement, patient safety, and health equity, Peyre will focus on embedding education in the clinical environment for all learners.

"This new position was created to build on the legacy of curriculum innovation, and to be at the forefront of how we train and prepare our medical and science leaders. I cannot imagine a person better suited for this opportunity than Sarah Peyre," says Linehan. "Sarah's expertise in medical education innovation and her familiarity with SMD make her uniquely qualified to create a nimbler and more progressive educational ecosystem that inspires even more robust intersections with our clinical care. I am extremely excited to welcome her back to the Medical Center."

As dean of the Warner School, Peyre helped develop and implement the Warner 2030 Strategic Plan that included launching the Office of Research and the Office of Student Success. She is also credited with advancing important culture climate work at the school by overseeing the creation of the Warner Council for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, as well as launching several new academic programs including the fully online EdD program in health professions education leadership, a master's in teaching computer science, an advanced certificate bridge program from school counseling to mental health counseling, and a micro-credentialing professional development program.

Just one year after being appointed dean, President Sarah Mangelsdorf asked Peyre to step in as interim provost while the University conducted a national search to fill the role vacated by Rob Clark. From July 2021 to June 2022, Peyre served in the interim role and helped the University navigate the challenges and complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that same period, she helped launch the first steps of the University's strategic plan in a role that was later filled by Provost David Figlio. As interim provost, Peyre also initiated the procurement of a new faculty information system, partnered with accreditation staff on the launch of the Middle States self-study, and led the efforts to reestablish the Public Safety Review Board.

Melissa Sturge-Apple, vice provost and university dean of graduate education, has been appointed interim dean of the Warner School, effective July 1. In her role as vice provost and University dean, Sturge-Apple has overseen academic policies, procedures, and the quality of graduate education across the University. An accomplished scholar, Sturge-Apple's research broadly focuses on family processes, parental functioning, and child development with an emphasis on families at risk.