Dr. K. Craig Kent is leaving Ohio State. Credit: Courtesy of Ohio State

Ohio State’s dean of the College of Medicine will leave for the University of Virginia effective Feb. 1 after three years at Ohio State, according to a Thursday announcement.  

Dr. Craig K. Kent will become the University of Virginia’s executive vice president for health affairs, according to an Ohio State press release. In addition to being College of Medicine dean, Kent is also vice president for health sciences and the Leslie H. and Abigail S. Wexner Dean’s Chair in Medicine. 

Kent said in the release that he is proud of what he is leaving for his successor. 

“I am proud of the momentum we have built at Ohio State and the solid foundation for continued growth at the College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center,” Kent said. “I will miss Ohio State but am excited about this next step in my career.”

University President Michael V. Drake congratulated Kent in the release.  

“Congratulations to our good friend and colleague Craig Kent on his appointment,” Drake said. “He has made lasting contributions here at The Ohio State University, and we are certain he will do the same for UVA. I am sorry to see him go but wish him all the best in this next chapter of his impressive professional life.”

Drake announced his retirement Nov. 21, effective at the end of the academic year, after six years as university president, according to previous Lantern reporting. Drake will step down to fill a faculty position. 

Kent joined Ohio State in 2016 following his role as the chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, according to the release.  

During his time at Ohio State, Kent expanded the College of Medicine’s faculty by almost 500, generated $318.5 million in research funds throughout the past two years, and in 2019, oversaw “one of the nation’s most diverse medical school classes,” according to the release. 

The release stated that Kent was also selected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2019. 

Ohio State will be launching a national search to replace Kent, but will name an interim before his departure, according to the release.