Social 02-01-2022
Dr. Iván Castillo assumed the deanship of the UCM School of Medicine
– The newly appointed UCM Medicine dean connected with the faculty’s administrative and professional personnel, extending a warm welcome to the team.
Maintaining the institution’s high standards and ongoing enhancements, preserving its national standing in medical education and specialization, and fostering a unified team are key objectives for the UCM Faculty of Medicine’s new leader, Dr. Iván Castillo M.
Dr. Castillo, a Surgeon who graduated from the University of Chile and holds a specialization in Pathological Anatomy from the same university, previously served as the director of the UCM School of Medicine’s Preclinical Sciences Department (2016-2018) and as the school’s director (2018-2021).
“Change always brings a fresh perspective,” remarked Dr. Castillo in his initial team meeting. “While maintaining a close working relationship with Dr. Raúl Silva—the outgoing dean and a founding member of the faculty—we each possess distinct approaches. We aim to build upon the extraordinary accomplishments he achieved, setting a high benchmark for faculty growth, our shared goal,” the new dean explained.
“This period necessitates adaptation—a transition into a more intricate institutional structure,” Dr. Castillo added. “The university’s increased complexity demands a shift from simpler processes to more sophisticated ones, all steered toward excellence,” he noted.
Dr. Castillo encouraged open communication, assuring the community of accessible channels for addressing concerns. “Significant alterations are not planned,” he stated. “We’ve expanded with a new building, a new program, and numerous challenges ahead. Our primary focus is navigating these challenges to ensure the professional growth and fulfillment of each team member,” the dean emphasized.
Expressing gratitude to the faculty’s dedicated personnel, Dr. Castillo acknowledged their contributions to the school’s development, especially during challenging times. “Your support during the accreditation process is invaluable,” he said. “All the required documents have been submitted, and we await the peer evaluators’ site visit, which was postponed due to the pandemic. This accreditation falls under the updated, more stringent regulations. We are striving for the maximum seven-year accreditation for our Medicine program, currently holding a six-year accreditation,” he said, urging continued commitment and dedication.
Dr. Castillo announced upcoming meetings with the academic staff, signaling a forthcoming welcome and presentation of the school’s strategic direction.
The UCM School of Medicine offers programs in Medicine (six-year accreditation), Chemistry and Pharmacy, Medical Bioengineering, and a new Biomedical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree, welcoming its inaugural cohort in 2022.
