The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences has initiated a significant administrative restructuring, a strategic maneuver aimed at reinforcing its commitment to addressing the distinct healthcare challenges of the state and the broader region. This overhaul, spearheaded by Dean Marjorie Jenkins, involves the promotion of four distinguished faculty members into newly defined leadership roles. The appointments are not merely procedural but represent a calculated effort to create a more cohesive and integrated educational ecosystem. By intertwining academic instruction, hands-on clinical training, and postgraduate specialization more tightly, the school is positioning itself to cultivate a more resilient and effective healthcare workforce prepared to serve North Dakota’s communities for years to come.
A Vision-Driven Restructuring
Leveraging a Century of Experience
The foundation of this strategic shift rests on the deep institutional knowledge and unwavering dedication of its leadership team, a point Dean Jenkins has emphasized with considerable pride. The newly appointed associate and senior associate deans collectively bring more than a hundred years of experience within the institution, a resource described as an invaluable asset for navigating the complexities of modern medical education and regional healthcare delivery. This strategic decision to elevate long-serving, highly respected leaders underscores a philosophy that values stability and proven commitment. Rather than introducing external perspectives, the school is doubling down on the expertise of those who have an intimate understanding of its mission, its culture, and the specific needs of the populations it serves. This approach ensures that the school’s evolution is guided by individuals who are not only phenomenal and hardworking but also deeply invested in the well-being of North Dakota’s citizens.
This immense repository of institutional memory translates directly into a more agile and responsive administration capable of building upon past successes while strategically planning for the future. The leaders’ long-standing relationships with clinical partners, community stakeholders, and state policymakers provide a significant advantage in implementing new initiatives and securing resources. Their collective experience allows for a more nuanced understanding of the historical context behind current healthcare disparities and workforce shortages, enabling the development of targeted, effective solutions. This continuity in leadership fosters a culture of trust and collaboration, ensuring that the school’s core mission to educate skilled healthcare professionals for the state remains the central focus. By leveraging this century of combined experience, the SMHS is not just changing titles but is solidifying a leadership foundation built to sustain its legacy of service and innovation for the next generation.
Expanding the Scope of Health Sciences
In a key move to foster greater synergy among its diverse programs, Dave Relling has been appointed to the role of Senior Associate Dean for Health Sciences. Transitioning from his previous position as Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, Relling now assumes oversight of all non-medical training programs within the SMHS. This broad portfolio includes a critical range of disciplines, from physical and occupational therapy to physician assistant studies, athletic training, and public health. By consolidating these departments under a single senior associate dean, the school aims to break down academic silos and promote a more unified educational strategy. Relling has voiced his commitment to supporting the individual department chairs while championing the school’s emphasis on interprofessional and collaborative learning opportunities. This structural change is designed to ensure that all health science students receive a comprehensive education that prepares them for the team-based realities of modern healthcare.
The emphasis on interprofessional education under Relling’s leadership is particularly vital for preparing graduates to meet the healthcare needs of North Dakota and the nation. This educational model brings students from different disciplines—such as future physical therapists, physician assistants, and public health experts—together in shared learning environments. By collaborating on case studies and clinical simulations, students learn to appreciate the unique skills each profession brings to patient care, fostering mutual respect and improving communication. This approach is essential for developing knowledgeable, compassionate, and effective providers who can function seamlessly within integrated healthcare teams. For a rural state like North Dakota, where healthcare professionals must often work together to maximize limited resources, graduating clinicians who are already adept at interprofessional collaboration is not just an educational goal but a critical component of strengthening the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
Strengthening the Physician Pipeline
From Clinical Training to Postgraduate Retention
The leadership changes also create a more streamlined and supportive pathway for medical students as they transition into their careers as practicing physicians. Dr. Jennifer Peterson, in her new capacity as Assistant Dean for “Phase 2/3,” will now guide students through their crucial final two years of medical school. Her responsibilities include expanding hands-on clinical training opportunities by establishing new preceptor sites across North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. At the same time, Dr. Susan Zelewski has transitioned to the role of Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, where her focus will be on overseeing the school’s residency and fellowship programs. This complementary structuring ensures a seamless handoff, as the students Peterson prepares for residency will enter the postgraduate programs Zelewski now manages. This integrated approach is designed to provide consistent support and mentorship, ultimately improving the student experience and strengthening the physician pipeline.
This deliberate alignment of leadership roles directly addresses one of the most pressing challenges in regional healthcare: the recruitment and retention of specialized physicians. By enhancing the quality and accessibility of clinical rotations in the final years of medical school, Dr. Peterson’s work will better prepare students for the rigors of residency and expose them to the rewards of practicing in the state. Subsequently, Dr. Zelewski’s oversight of graduate medical education is critical, as residency and fellowship programs are the most effective tool for encouraging physicians to establish their permanent practice in North Dakota. Physicians are highly likely to remain in the state where they complete their postgraduate training. Therefore, by strengthening these programs and ensuring they meet the evolving needs of both the trainees and the healthcare system, the school is making a direct and substantial investment in the long-term health and well-being of the state’s residents.
Bridging Academia and Clinical Practice
A pivotal new role has been created to dismantle the traditional barriers between academic medicine and real-world clinical care. Dr. Dinesh Bande, who chairs the Department of Internal Medicine, has been appointed as the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Integration. His primary mission is to forge stronger, more collaborative partnerships between the University of North Dakota, its affiliated academic institutions, and the clinical teams within the state’s major health systems. This position is explicitly designed to ensure that medical practice, education, and research are not treated as separate domains but are closely aligned and mutually reinforcing. The overarching goal is to shorten the time it takes for evidence-based best practices to be implemented at the patient’s bedside, thereby fostering a culture of continuous innovation and excellence in healthcare delivery across North Dakota. This integration is crucial for addressing population health challenges effectively and improving patient outcomes on a systemic level.
Dr. Bande’s appointment is directly connected to UND’s “Learners Improving Value Equation” initiative, a forward-thinking program aimed at embedding the principles of health system sciences into the curriculum for both medical students and residents. This initiative goes beyond traditional medical training to include vital contemporary topics such as quality improvement, patient safety, clinical informatics, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. By championing this integration, Dr. Bande will ensure that the next generation of physicians is equipped not only with clinical skills but also with the knowledge to navigate and improve the complex systems in which they will work. This focus on systems-level thinking is essential for creating a healthcare workforce that can lead change, drive value, and deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. His work will serve as the critical link that translates academic research and educational theory into tangible improvements in how healthcare is delivered throughout the state.
An Integrated Approach to Healthcare Education
The strategic promotions at UND’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences collectively established a highly integrated leadership framework designed to fortify every stage of health education. The appointments of Relling, Bande, Peterson, and Zelewski were not isolated personnel decisions but calculated moves that created a synergistic structure. Relling’s unification of the health sciences programs laid the groundwork for enhanced interprofessional education, while Bande’s role was created to bridge the gap between academic theory and clinical application. Concurrently, the complementary roles of Peterson and Zelewski were designed to create a seamless and supportive pipeline, guiding students from their final years of medical school directly into the state’s vital residency programs. This cohesive strategy demonstrated a comprehensive vision for cultivating a new generation of healthcare professionals who were not only clinically proficient but also fully prepared to collaborate, innovate, and lead within North Dakota’s unique healthcare landscape.
