William M. Geisler, M.D., MPH, professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and co-director of the Medical Scientist Training Program, has been named the assistant dean for Physician Scientist Development in the UAB School of Medicine.
In this role, Geisler will be responsible for the oversight of the Physician Scientist Development Office, created in 2015 to be a one-stop-shop for current and future physician scientists to get career advice, mentorship, education, and information on available resources to help further their careers. Geisler will also partner with the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) to create programs and initiatives for current and future physician scientists at UAB.
His appointment was effective June 1.
“I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the development of physician-scientists at UAB,” Geisler said. “Physician scientists play a vital role in discoveries and advances in medicine that translate to improved care for patients. Given the national decline of the physician-scientist workforce in recent years, innovative programs and strategies are needed to support their development and to ensure their success. I look forward to working with SOM, the CCTS, and many other collaborators to provide the education, resources, and tools need for successful development of our physician scientists at UAB.”
Significant functions of the Physician Scientist Development Office include alignment with and integration of departmental and institutional efforts across the School of Medicine and communication with national partners and colleagues to respond to the needs of the national physician scientist enterprise and funding climate.
“This is an exciting time in the evolution of this critical resource for physician scientist development at UAB,” said Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., FACS, senior vice president for medicine and dean of the UAB School of Medicine. “We are looking forward to working with Dr. Geisler leading our efforts to not only train the next generation of physician-scientists but in supporting the incredible physician-scientists on our faculty with the tools and collaboration they need.”
Geisler earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee in 1996 followed by completion of internal medicine residency at the University of Michigan in 1999, a master of public health degree in epidemiology from the University of Washington in 2000, and infectious diseases fellowship at the University of Washington in 2002. Geisler then joined UAB as an Assistant Professor of Medicine in 2002.
He has served in various faculty and leadership positions. He was promoted to professor of Medicine in 2014 and became co-director of the MSTP program in October 2018. His research program investigates the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, clinical management, and immunogenetics of sexually transmitted infections, with a focus on chlamydia and Mycoplasma genitalium infections.