The following statement from Dean Phillip Pizzo, M.D. in the 17-DEC-07 edition of the Dean's Newsletter:

Expressions of Support and Concerns from Students and Alumni

During the past week, I have been copied on a number of emails and comments from alumni and current students regarding their concern about a member of the teaching staff in relation to a new program called Educators 4 CARE. I am respectful of the deeply felt expressions of concern from each of our current and past students and colleagues with regard to Dr. Wolfe, and I appreciate the enthusiasm being expressed for further enhancing our clinical education. I have read and considered all the messages from alumni and students, and I attended and participated in a meeting led by concerned students on Friday, December 14th in the Dean's Courtyard.

While I appreciate the perspective and reactions of a number of students and alumni, I am also aware that the basis for some decisions (such as those involving the employment-related circumstances of individuals) cannot be discussed publicly and thus can leave uncertainty, confusion and distrust in their wake. That said, I would hope that those expressing their concerns would recognize that I and others in the leadership of the Medical School and University hear their messages and respect their right to express their thoughts and concerns.

At the same time I would remind our colleagues that disagreements should be communicated in a professional and respectful manner and should avoid negative personal assertions or allegations that may, in fact, be misplaced or simply erroneous. Although it would not be appropriate to say more about Dr. Wolfe's particular situation, what I can tell you is that the University has decided to reactivate an independent dispute resolution process previously agreed to and utilized with him.

I would also hope that our community is mindful of the fact that the leadership of the School of Medicine and I have made medical education among our very highest priorities. Indeed, I hope it is more than evident that we have worked diligently to support and develop programs to improve our students' personal and professional lives, while easing the financial burdens that medical education can entail. Further, the faculty, senior education deans and Office of Educational Programs and Services staff have worked very hard to enhance the quality of our education programs across the basic and clinical sciences as well as to develop and generate the funding for the resources and facilities that are, and will be, available for them and future generations.

By every measure -- including outside reviews by our National Advisory Council and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education -- medical education at Stanford is highly regarded, and the resources and services that have been put into place to support students are viewed as extraordinary and even nonpareil. It is also important to underscore that effective and successful medical and postgraduate education depends on the broad and deeply shared commitment of faculty and students -- an effort which transcends any one of us or any point in time.