Hedrick and Lama appointed to assistant dean positions at WVU School of Medicine

Jason Hedrick, Ph.D., and Anna Lama, Ed.D., M.A., have been appointed assistant dean positions within the West Virginia University School of Medicine.

Hedrick, an assistant professor in the Department of Medical Education, has been appointed as assistant dean of Accreditation and Academic Operations. In this new role, Hedrick will manage the continuous quality improvement process and committee, which monitors student outcomes and satisfaction, school growth, and national benchmarks to help ensure compliance with accreditation standards set by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. He has also developed a course focused on Appalachian culture for medical students and has presented the topic at other medical schools.

“Every day, we are looking at and considering what we can do to help and further develop our students and graduates,” Hedrick said. “I enjoy partnering with faculty, students, and administrators across the school and the state, building relationships, and learning about the important work they do. At the same time, I like to work with data, think about potential educational innovations, and partner with these stakeholders to keep improving our educational product.” 

Lama, director of assessment and associate professor in the Department of Medical Education, has been appointed assistant dean of Assessment and Evaluation. A central part of Lama's new role will be advancing WVU School of Medicine’s efforts to continuously improve educational experiences for students, residents, and faculty. She will oversee assessment and evaluation across undergraduate and graduate medical education programs across the University. Working with educational leaders, faculty, students, and staff, she will use data to evaluate courses, clerkships, programs, and teaching, identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, inform educational decisions, and support accreditation standards.

“The assistant dean position feels like a natural extension of the work I have been fortunate to do in teaching, assessment, and faculty development,” Lama said. “That experience shaped my belief that great educators never stop learning, adapting, and finding new ways to help learners grow. I’m particularly excited to connect this work with my passion for developing educators and preparing the next generation of clinician educators who will imagine new possibilities for how we teach and learn in medicine.”

Norman Ferrari, M.D., vice dean for Education and Academic Affairs and chair of the Department of Education, said having Hedrick and Lama in key leadership positions brings honor to the entire School of Medicine.

“This is fitting recognition for two individuals who joined our team over a decade ago as members of our staff,” Ferrari said. “In that time both earned doctoral degrees and joined the faculty while establishing a national reputation in their areas of expertise.”

Scott Cottrell, Ed.D., associate dean for Student Services and Curriculum, echoed Ferrari's enthusiasm, saying the School of Medicine is fortunate to have Hedrick and Lama in their new roles.

“Dr. Lama is instrumental in collecting assessment results about students' learning and our educational environment. Dr. Hedrick brings years of experience to make sure our M.D. degree program meets accreditation requirements,” Cottrell said. “Together, they transform data into insight, ensuring quality and compliance. Their contributions position us well for the future and growth of our program.”

For more information on Medical Education at WVU, visit medicine.wvu.edu.