HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Stephen M. Petrany, M.D., has been appointed chairman of the department of family and community health at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, the school’s dean, Joseph I. Shapiro, M.D. announced today. He succeeds John Walden, M.D., who served as chairman for five years and now transitions to a new role with the school.

“Steve Petrany is a perfect fit to lead the department of family medicine,” Shapiro said. “He is an excellent clinician, dedicated teacher and astute business leader. I couldn’t be more pleased that he has accepted the position. He understands the mission of our medical school and I expect the department to grow and flourish under his leadership.”

A professor in the department and full-time faculty member since 1989, Petrany was selected for the position after serving as interim chair for several months.

“I am very excited by the opportunity to continue the important work of the department of family and community health in my new role,” Petrany said. “Under my predecessors, Marshall Family Medicine has earned a well-deserved national reputation for excellence in education and clinical service. With the help of our outstanding faculty and staff, and with the ongoing support of Dean Shapiro, I am confident the department will continue to build upon its special mission to the people of our region and the state.”

Petrany graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed a family medicine residency with the Medical College of Virginia. He has been recognized with nearly a dozen teaching awards including receiving the inaugural Dean’s Award for Excellence in Medical Education in 2013. Heavily involved with Ebenezer Medical Outreach, Petrany currently serves as its medical director and on its board of directors. He is also the co-director and co-developer of the Paul Wesley Ambrose Health Policy Residency Track, the nation’s first health policy track within a family medicine residency program.

Walden will continue teaching at the school of medicine and assist the dean’s office with special projects. Walden was appointed chairman in 2008 and has worked for decades in the fields of rural medicine and international health.

Date Posted: Monday, February 17, 2014