The University of North Texas Health Science Center has hired a new dean for the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Frank Filipetto, DO, who joined UNTHSC in 2011, was appointed to the position after serving as interim dean for 18 months.
Filipetto distinguished himself as the top candidate during the dean search, said Charles Taylor, PharmD, UNTHSC Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
“Dr. Filipetto has a bold vision for medical education deeply focused on student success,” Taylor said. “His desire to strengthen our partnerships will benefit TCOM and the Health Science Center. I am confident his leadership will accelerate our position as a leading medical school in the country.”
Filipetto has been recognized at UNTHSC for his academic leadership, mentorship of students and faculty and for raising TCOM’s profile in Fort Worth. His wife, Janet Lieto, DO, is a TCOM faculty member, and his daughter, Francesca, is a TCOM student.
Filipetto said he was proud to continue to lead TCOM as it evolves to meet the rapidly shifting needs of the health care system in the United States.
“Our students, alumni, faculty and staff are tremendously proud of TCOM’s rich history of leadership in osteopathic medicine and our success in defining and producing the providers of the future,” Dr. Filipetto said. “We will work together to prepare our talented students with the skillset to change the way health care is delivered in the future. We owe this to our society.”
Traditionally, the foundation of medical education in the United States has been a two-pillar approach focused on science and clinical care, Filipetto said.
Filipetto envisions the integration of a third pillar of Health Systems Science, which would prepare students to understand health care economics, data and new technologies, quality improvement, leadership, entrepreneurship and improved health care delivery models.
“It’s not just about graduating the smartest students,” Filipetto said. “Twenty-first century medical education must be about providing students with marketable skills to lead the change in health care that medical education has traditionally not done well. TCOM has always been a leader in creating innovative learning strategies, and we will continue to lead.”
The previous dean was Don N. Peska, DO, who is now the dean and chief academic officer of the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University. He left UNTHSC in 2017.
