Dr. James Record Takes Helm as Dean of Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at WSU
James M. Record has been named dean of Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine following a yearlong interim appointment. He will assume the permanent role on Oct. 1.
“Dr. Record’s leadership of the college this past year has consistently ensured the ongoing success of its educational, research, and clinical programs,” said Daryll DeWald, executive vice president for WSU Health Sciences and chancellor for WSU Spokane. “I am confident that he will continue the important work of strengthening the college’s infrastructure, building state-wide partnerships, and fostering a community of inclusive excellence, all while supporting the accreditation process.”
Since arriving at the College of Medicine in 2021, Record has provided executive-level oversight of various units and served as vice dean for Graduate Medical Education, Continuing Medical Education, and Partnerships. In this role, he was integral in developing new clinical partnerships, residency programs, continuing medical education programs, and an alumni affairs program.
As interim dean, Record has overseen the development of the college’s sponsored pediatrics residency in partnership with Providence Sacred Heart. The first of its kind in eastern Washington, this residency is a continuation of the college’s commitment to expanding medical education and improving healthcare quality and access in communities around the state. Additionally, Record oversaw the continued buildout of the Internal Medical Residency program in Everett at Providence Regional Medical Center and the Family Medicine Residency program at Pullman Regional Hospital.
Record has led the college’s new strategic planning process, revamped accreditation efforts, and supported the college’s medical program curriculum updates. In addition to these accomplishments, Record guided the operational planning and development of the college’s dedicated administrative and classroom space inside the recently opened Medicine Building on the Spokane campus.
“The appointment of Dr. Record comes after extensive and thoughtful input from students, faculty, staff, and administration across the College of Medicine as well as external stakeholders,” said DeWald. “Dr. Record’s unwavering commitment to the college, coupled with his extensive leadership experience and dedication to building a community-centric culture, will undoubtedly continue it toward a bright future.”
Established in 2015, the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is Washington’s community-based medical school. The college offers nine academic degree programs with an enrollment of over 450 students, including its MD program. It is set to graduate its fourth class at the end of the 2023–2024 academic year. Committed to innovative research and educating future healthcare professionals for the state of Washington, the college aims to increase access to quality healthcare in rural and urban underserved communities. Record assumes the role of the second dean in the college’s history.
“I came to WSU because of its extraordinary mission to improve the health metrics in our most deserving but underserved communities,” Record said, “and I have been blessed to work with an amazing team in the college. To be able to serve as dean is a humbling honor, and I am excited to continue the college’s collaboration with our dedicated community partners to deliver outstanding care and clinical education paired with world-class research.”
Before arriving at WSU, Record served as provost and chief academic officer at Ross University School of Medicine and as dean of the Chicago Medical School. He has held multiple leadership positions in undergraduate and graduate medical education at the St. Joseph’s Healthcare System, New York Medical College, and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Record earned a bachelor’s degree with high honors in biochemistry and sociology from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. He earned his MD from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed his residency training in general internal medicine at Brown University School of Medicine—Rhode Island Hospital. Additionally, he received his JD from Rutgers University School of Law.