HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine has named Stephen M. Petrany, M.D., to the new role of vice dean of addiction sciences and recovery.  

A board-certified family medicine physician, Petrany has served as professor and chair of the Department of Family & Community Health at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine since 2014. Under his leadership, the department experienced unprecedented growth in outreach, health policy and rural medicine as well as the creation of a new Division of Addiction Sciences dedicated to leading the School of Medicine and Marshall Health’s response to the addiction crisis.  

In his new role, Petrany will work to integrate addiction science efforts across Marshall Health Network and facilitate collaboration throughout the university to best address the complexities of substance use disorder and recovery efforts.  

“Consistent with Marshall University’s focus on addiction sciences and behavioral medicine, Dr. Petrany’s new role brings unique experience and dedicated leadership to an important field,” said David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon), vice president of health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “His role will be vital in establishing Marshall University as a national and international beacon of hope and innovation in the field of addiction sciences while continuing to address the pressing needs of our communities in West Virginia.” 

Petrany joined the Marshall University faculty in 1988 after practicing six years in Ohio and Connecticut. He served as the family medicine residency program director for 15 years before stepping into the role of associate chair for medical education and then chair of the department.  

Petrany is committed to improving access to health care across West Virginia and Appalachia. He has served as medical director of Ebenezer Medical Outreach, a free clinic that provides health care to uninsured and underinsured patients, and is a charter member of the board of directors for PROACT, the Provider Response Organization for Addiction Care and Treatment, a collaborative effort to provide assessment, education, intervention and treatment solutions for those suffering from addiction in a single accessible service hub.  

In 2023, Petrany was recognized as the school’s Honorary Alumnus during its graduation and investiture ceremony and was inducted into the Greater Huntington Area Wall of Fame by the City of Huntington Foundation. Petrany earned his medical degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and completed his family practice residency at the Medical College of Virginia in Vienna, Virginia.  

Petrany will begin his new position Jan. 1, 2024. Adam M. Franks, M.D., long-time family medicine professor and vice chair, has agreed to assume the role of interim chair at that time.  

For more news and information about the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, follow us on X @MUSOMWV, like us on Facebook or visit jcesom.marshall.edu.  

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Media Contact: Michele McKnight, Asst. Director of External Affairs, Marshall Health/School of Medicine, 304-691-1713

Date Posted: Wednesday, December 20, 2023