Noted cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Irving L. Kron, former chairman of the University of Virginia department of surgery, has been appointed senior associate vice president for the University of Arizona Health Sciences and interim executive dean of the UA College of Medicine – Tucson, effective July 9.

Dr. Michael D. Dake, UA senior vice president for health sciences, said, “Dr. Kron will play a key role on my team to support programmatic development and strategic integration of undergraduate and graduate education, research, administrative and clinical activities for the colleges, centers and clinical affiliates within UA Health Sciences.”

In his role as interim executive dean, Kron will lead the ongoing development of the UA College of Medicine – Tucson to ensure alignment with the mission, vision and values of the UA Health Sciences and the UA’s strategic initiatives.

“I am so impressed by the leadership of this university and the enormous potential of our health sciences colleges,” Kron said. “The University of Arizona has an excellent reputation for developing great physicians and health professionals who are well prepared for a changing world. I am honored to have this opportunity at the UA to shape the future of health care.”

Kron received his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1971. He graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1975 and completed his general surgery residency at the Maine Medical Center. He then finished his training in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in 1982 at the University of Virginia. Kron joined the faculty at the University of Virginia more than 35 years ago and served as chairman of the department of surgery from 2002 to 2017.

Board certified in surgery, vascular surgery, and thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Kron's specialties are adult cardiac surgery, pediatric cardiac surgery and peripheral vascular surgery. Kron has receive numerous honors, including America’s Top Doctor Award and was named one of America’s Top Surgeons.

Kron has made nearly 250 presentations on cardiac and thoracic surgery, and has published 450 manuscripts and nearly 30 books and chapters. He has been principal investigator for more than 20 funded grants.

Dr. Leigh A. Neumayer served as interim senior vice president for health sciences from January 2017 to June 4, 2018, and interim executive dean of the UA College of Medicine – Tucson from April 13 to June 4. She will return to her role as chair of the UA Department of Surgery.