As the newly-named interim dean of the Creighton University School of Medicine, Dr. Robert “Bo” Dunlay will be leading the school through many changes in the upcoming months.
But over his nearly 20-year career at Creighton, change is something Dunlay is used to dealing with, having served the School of Medicine in many capacities, including as nephrology division chief, residency program director and most recently as the medical director for Alegent Creighton Health.
According to Dunlay, he decided to study medicine because, “It seemed like a nice way to help people, and my father was a small town doctor.” Creighton-educated, he completed his premedical studies in 1977 and went on to earn his M.D. from the School of Medicine in 1981.
He fulfilled his internship and residency in internal medicine at Creighton, before completing fellowships in nephrology at Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, and nephrology research at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis.
Dunlay returned to the Creighton School of Medicine in 1990 to serve the university as a clinician and educator, beginning his long career in the School of Medicine.
Reflecting on his time at Creighton, Dunlay mentioned that some of his most memorable moments have been working with the students as an educator and a mentor. He touted Creighton medical students’ “sincere desire to serve others,” and their strong calling to the vocation of medicine.
“We attract outstanding students and residents and working with them is a humbling experience. Some of my most fulfilling moments have been spent with dying patients and their families,” Dunlay said.
Dunlay will take over official interim dean duties on January 1, replacing Dean Rowen Zetterman, who announced his resignation earlier this year.
While he will be leading the School of Medicine during the search for a permanent dean, another of Dunlay’s main duties as interim dean will be to smoothly oversee the merger between Creighton University Medical Center and Alegent Health.
“My goal is to enhance the medical school’s performance while we are transitioning through a number of chances with our new partner, Alegent Creighton Clinics,” Dunlay said.
Donald Frey, vice president for health science, is also working with Dunlay during the Alegent transition, to make sure that the quality of education provided by the School of Medicine is maintained.
Frey has been at Creighton for about 20 years, and during that time has worked with Dunlay in many different capacities. Frey touted Dunlay’s ability to see the big picture, and look at the long-term best interests for the group.
“From the standpoint of his work as a physician, what stands out is his commitment to excellence and his commitment to quality patient care,” Frey said.