A familiar face will become the new dean for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s medical school. Former vice dean Thomas Samuel “Sam” Shomaker was selected to lead the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).
The former JABSOM leader returns after stints as dean of the Austin campus for the University of Texas Medical Branch and the dean and vice president at Texas A&M Health Science Center.
Shomaker worked at UH’s medical school from 2000 to 2006. Besides his role as vice dean, Shomaker stepped in as interim dean when Dean Ed Cadman stepped down in 2005.
He is scheduled to start on July 1. His appointment is subject to approval by the UH Board of Regents.
“Dr. Shomaker has extensive leadership experience and served in senior leadership positions within higher education and medical schools, including his time at JABSOM. He has an understanding of the needs of JABSOM, our community and health partners, Hawaiʻi and beyond,” UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno said in an email to the JABSOM community.
Shomaker earned an MD from UH Mānoa, JD from Georgetown University School of Law, a master’s degree in management from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University.