Kiefer named director of faculty development for WVU Health Sciences

Christopher Kiefer, M.D., MSEd, has been appointed director of faculty development for WVU Health Sciences, effective July 1. He will assume the role following the retirement of Rashida Khakoo, M.D.

“We are grateful for the highly impactful work Dr. Khakoo has developed and implemented here at our Health Sciences Center and WVU in regard to faculty development,” said Louise Veselicky, D.D.S., associate vice president for academic affairs at WVU Health Sciences. “As she passes the baton to Dr. Kiefer, we look forward to continuing to serve our faculty under his leadership by providing them avenues to enhance their careers in health science education, service and research.”

Kiefer will oversee the creation and management of activities related to faculty professional and academic development with the goal of enabling faculty to achieve their full potential in teaching, research and scholarly activity, and service and leadership. In collaboration with an advisory committee of faculty development leaders from all five Health Sciences schools, he will promote a culture of interdisciplinary learning and research, identify faculty needs and tailor programs accordingly to enhance training.

Originally from Weirton, Kiefer attended the WVU School of Medicine. Following medical school, he completed residency training in emergency medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and served as chief resident during his final year. During residency, he was inspired by his attendings and mentors to pursue an academic career with a focus upon bedside teaching, curriculum development and simulation. He returned to WVU and the Department of Emergency Medicine in 2012, and has since been heavily involved in medical education. To further his training, he completed a master’s degree in medical education at the University of Pennsylvania in 2022.

Kiefer currently serves as professor of emergency medicine, Emergency Medicine Residency associate program director, Medical Education and Administration Fellowship program director, chief of the Division of Education and Training in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Chief of Staff at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife, Dr. Autumn Kiefer, associate professor, chief of the Division of Neonatology and medical director of WVU Children's NICU, have 7-year-old triplets.

Dr. Khakoo, professor and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, will retire at the end of the academic year after nearly 50 years of service to WVU. She has received many awards for outstanding teaching throughout her career, including the WVU Foundation Award, Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Mentorship and Clinical Teacher Award from the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Khakoo has been instrumental in growing the Faculty Development Program to benefit all Health Sciences schools.

The mission of the Health Sciences Faculty Development Program is to foster the growth of faculty to their maximum potential in the areas of teaching, research and service while achieving the vision and mission of the institution. Current initiatives include the Academy of Excellence, Faculty Mentoring & Learning Partnership Program, Teaching Scholars Program and Summer Institute, among others.