Erin L. McKean, M.D., MBA, FACS, has been appointed assistant dean for student services in the Medical School, effective July 1, 2020. She is an associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and neurosurgery, division chief of Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery, and director of the Cranial Base Surgery Program.
As assistant dean, she will lead the operations of the many services provided to our medical students, including career development, counseling on personal, academic, and professionalism issues, registration, scheduling, student organizations, financial assistance, and navigating the residency match process.
McKean holds undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Michigan, and is a graduate of the Inteflex Program. She completed residency training in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and a fellowship in craniofacial and skull base surgery. She also completed her Master of Business Administration degree with distinction at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Her clinical interest is in pathologies of the cranial base, as well as head and neck cancer. She specializes in minimally-invasive and open surgeries of the skull base. Her research interests include biomarkers for skull base tumors, outcomes after treatment of anterior skull base pathologies (quality of life, olfaction, cosmesis, vision, and cost effectiveness), long-term effects of radiation therapy of the head and neck on pituitary function, and leadership in undergraduate and graduate medical education.
McKean has received two teaching awards from the Department of Neurosurgery, the Silver Shovel teaching award from the U-M Medical School Galens Society, a mentorship award from the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, a Patient Safety Award of Excellence from the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and the Dean’s Community Service Award for her work with the Hope @ UMHS clinic.
She is the original designer and former director of the innovative leadership curriculum in the Medical School. She sits on the board of directors of the North American Skull Base Society and chairs its value-based healthcare committee.
Current Assistant Dean for Student Services Tamara L. Gay, M.D., is retiring from the University on July 1.