Noted Cardiothoracic Surgeon Joins UAHS Leadership Team
Dr. Irving L. Kron
Dr. Irving L. Kron, a noted cardiothoracic surgeon and former chairman of the University of Virginia Department of Surgery, has been appointed associate senior vice president for the University of Arizona Health Sciences and interim executive dean of the UA College of Medicine – Tucson, effective July 9.
"Dr. Kron will play a key role on my team to support programmatic development and strategic integration of undergraduate and graduate education, research, and administrative and clinical activities for the colleges, centers and clinical affiliates within UA Health Sciences," said Dr. Michael D. Dake, UA senior vice president for health sciences.
In his role as interim executive dean, Kron will lead the ongoing development of the 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."
Board certified in surgery, vascular surgery and thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Kron joined the faculty at the University of Virginia more than 35 years ago. His specialties are adult cardiac surgery, pediatric cardiac surgery and peripheral vascular surgery. He served as chairman of the University of Virginia Department of Surgery from 2002-17. Kron has received numerous honors, including an America's Top Doctors 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.
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 Maine Medical Center. He then finished his training in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in 1982 at the University of Virginia.
Dr. Leigh A. Neumayer, who served as interim senior vice president for health sciences from January 2017 to June 4, 2018, and interim executive dean of the College of Medicine – Tucson from April 13 to June 4, will return to her role as chair of the Department of Surgery.