Chair's Address

"Balance in Academic Medicine: Our Future Depends on It"

Richard D. Krugman, M.D.
AAMC Chair, Dean of the University of Colorado School of Medicine

Richard D. Krugman, M.D., dean of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, stressed the importance of balance—between the missions of academic medical institutions, and between the professional and personal lives of its personnel—in his chair’s address at the 2007 AAMC annual meeting.

"Truth be told, it is probably easier to learn the facts and the technical skills needed to practice medicine than it is to learn how to balance lives that are malignantly and relentlessly crammed with demands," he said.

Krugman added that increasing collaboration and balancing academic principles with external considerations was key to a healthy future for the community. He also recommended that medical schools work more closely with schools of dentistry, nursing, and similar fields in order to achieve an enhanced balance.

"There are challenges in maintaining balance in institutional, professional, and personal lives," Krugman said. "Attaining and maintaining balance may be the hardest challenge [students and residents] face."

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