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Introducing the newly invested Lewis Katz Dean, Dr. Larry R. Kaiser

News October 04, 2016

Temple University Board of Trustees: Chairman Patrick J. O’Connor, Lewis Katz Dean at the School of Medicine Larry R. Kaiser, Drew Katz, Temple University Acting President Richard Englert.


Tuesday, September 27 marked a historic milestone for the Lewis Katz School of Medicine. At a ceremony that evening, Dr. Larry R. Kaiser, now in his fifth year as dean, was recognized with Temple University’s first-ever named endowed dean’s chair. He, and all his successors, shall now be known as the Lewis Katz Dean at the School of Medicine.

Dean Kaiser was formally invested with the dean’s chair during a ceremony that evening at the Medical Education and Research Building attended by his family and friends, many colleagues and employees, as well as representatives from the top leadership of the medical school, health system, and Temple University. At that ceremony, his tenure as a transformative leader of the medical school – and Lewis Katz’ profound legacy of philanthropy and service – was praised by Temple University Acting President Richard Englert; Temple University Board of Trustees Chair Patrick J. O’Connor; Senior Associate Dean of Research Stephen R. Houser; Chair of the Department of Surgery Amy J. Goldberg; wife and Fox Chase Cancer Center Board Member Lindy Snider; and Lewis’ son, Temple University Trustee Drew Katz. In addition, surprise videos were played showing a collection of friends, families, mentors and colleagues telling stories and giving testimonials about what Dean Kaiser is like as a leader, and as a person.

This chair – the first endowed named dean’s chair at Temple – is part of the largest gift in Temple University history, which was directed to the School of Medicine by the late businessman and philanthropist Lewis Katz, CST ’62.

“The Lewis Katz Dean’s Chair will have a powerful impact on my ability and that of all the deans who follow me, to advance the mission and vision of our School of Medicine,” noted Larry R. Kaiser, MD, FACS, who also serves as Senior Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at Temple University and President and CEO of Temple University Health System. “And on a personal note, to be the inaugural holder of this chair – which was endowed by someone who had become a dear friend to me – is one of the great honors of my life.” 

To learn more about Lewis Katz and the now Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, please click here.

To learn more about Dr. Larry R. Kaiser, please click here.