Irfan Asif, M.D., chair of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Family and Community Medicine and associate dean for Primary Care and Rural Health in the Heersink School of Medicine, has been selected for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Council of Deans Fellowship program.
The yearlong program provides senior faculty members with experiences and training to enhance their professional development as future leaders in academic medicine.
“I am honored to be selected for this fellowship, which represents a meaningful opportunity for me to grow as a leader and better prepare for an eventual role as a medical school dean,” Asif said. “Ultimately, I hope that connecting with accomplished mentors and contributing to national conversations on medical education strengthens my ability to serve students, institutions, and the broader healthcare community.”
The AAMC Council of Deans Fellowship is designed to prepare participants for the unique demands of medical school leadership while supporting their continued professional growth and impact in advancing healthcare and medical education.
“Dr. Asif’s inclusion in this fellowship program is a testament to his leadership and dedication to primary care, rural health, and the development of future physicians," said Anupam Agarwal, M.D., dean of the Heersink School of Medicine. "We are proud to see him recognized at the national level. I am confident this experience will further strengthen his impact both at UAB and across the broader medical education community.”
Asif is one of just six fellows selected nationally for the program. Participants will learn from experienced medical school deans, including two mentor-hosted visits to peer institutions. Fellows also will complete a leadership project, participate in Council of Deans meetings, and take part in the Executive Development Seminar for Deans, which focuses on the responsibilities and challenges of this critical leadership role.
Asif is the first UAB faculty member to be selected for this prestigious fellowship, which started in 2001.