Majd Zayzafoon, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, professor in Pathology and Medical Education, has been named the assistant dean for International Medical Education and the assistant provost for International Education in the Office of the Senior Vice Provost effective May 1, 2018.
In his role as assistant dean, Zayzafoon will assist Craig Hoesley, M.D., senior associate dean and chair of medical education, in leading the School of Medicine’s effort to expand the university’s international health footprint and impact in medical education.
As the assistant provost for International education, Zayzafoon will be tasked with leading UAB’s efforts to expand and coordinate international education initiatives outside of the School of Medicine. He will report to and work closely with the senior vice provost and senior international officer.
Zayzafoon joined UAB as a postdoctoral fellow in 2002. He earned his M.D. from Damascus University School of Medicine in 1987, his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 2001, and his MBA from UAB’s Collat School of Business in 2012. Zayzafoon has since held several leadership positions; most recently, he served as director of International Medical Education in the School of Medicine and director of International Education in the Office of the Senior Vice Provost.
During his tenure as director of International education, Zayzafoon has established numerous unique partnerships with top international universities and organizations from several countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, Peru, and Taiwan. Additionally, he has recruited and supervised the research and academic performance of hundreds of international students, medical residents, fellows and visiting scholars from over 30 countries.
Zayzafoon also restructured the Medical Student Enrichment Program and provided UAB medical students with service and training opportunities in developing countries and underserved areas throughout the world including Nicaragua, Peru, Taiwan and Cameroon. This program encourages and develops humanitarian attitudes and cross-cultural understanding among UAB physicians-in-training.
“I am thrilled and honored at the prospect of leading the School of Medicine’s and the university’s pioneering effort to create a complementary rather than a binary relationship between local and global education,” said Zayzafoon. “UAB recognizes that global education is, in fact, a vital component of an effective local education system.”
Zayzafoon is committed to bringing the energy and imagination needed to create an environment that will nurture new ideas in the field of medical education locally and globally. He plans to continue improving educational opportunities for all while embracing the School of Medicine’s mission to create an inclusive environment that values differing perspectives and experiences to ultimately provide high quality knowledge that will change our world.
“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Zayzafoon as a leader at our institution, and he has already accomplished so much in extending our international efforts,” said Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the School of Medicine. “I know that he will continue to help us emphasize the importance of a global education.”