Dr. Christopher F. Carpenter named interim dean of Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Oakland University’s William Beaumont School of Medicine has a new Stephan Sharf Interim Dean in Christopher F. Carpenter, MD. As dean, Dr. Carpenter will also serve as OUWB Chief Academic Officer for Corewell Health. The appointment will become effective on September 5.

In an article posted on Oakland University’s website, the university’s president Ora Hirsch Pescovitz was quoted about Dr. Carpenter’s appointment, saying that he will “provide steady, prudent guidance during the search for a full-time dean of the School of Medicine. He's a proven leader with acclaimed expertise and an impressive academic background. His integrity, compassion and record of mentoring medical students are traits at the heart of OUWB's values."

Prior to this new position, Dr. Carpenter worked as the Michael E. Maddens, MD, Distinguished Chair and Progressor of the Department of Internal Medicine at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Rochester, Michigan, as well as Corewell Health’s William Beaumont University Hospital, in Royal Oak, Michigan. In these and other roles, he represented and led more than 1,000 physicians and other advanced practice providers in the provision of education and mentorship of future physicians and other healthcare providers, the pursuit of innovative research, and medical and clinical care for patients. Dr. Carpenter’s subspecialty in the clinical setting is in the area of infectious diseases, and providing care for patients both in inpatient and ambulatory situations. 

Darryl Elmouchi, MD, who serves as Corewell Health’s Chief Operating Officer and Interim President of Corewell Health East, was quoted on Dr. Carpenter’s work, saying, “Dr. Carpenter is well-respected by his peers and has a long history of educating medical students, residents and fellows. He is a great fit for the role, and I am confident students will enjoy working with him.”

Dr. Carpenter was recently involved with research efforts such as a performing health care cost-effectiveness analysis of zoster vaccination and a leading COVID-19 vaccine study at WBUH. He has been part of several national and state committees such as the FDA Medical Devices Panel and the Food and Drug Administration Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee.

For his work in the field, Dr. Carpenter has been recognized by his peers as an Hour Detroit Top Doctor, and is a member of the Top Doctor Hall of Fame. He has also been named as one of America’s Top Physicians and Best Doctors in America. He serves as part of the Michigan Infectious Disease Society and as a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He also supports and participates in the Association of Professors of Medicine and the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine.

Oakland University’s Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Britt Rios-Ellis talked about the good wook Dr. Carpenter has done, saying, “With Dr. Carpenter’s wealth of experience and knowledge in working with OUWB students, faculty and staff, he stood out as a natural fit to lead our medical school as interim dean while a national search is conducted for the next permanent dean. I have really enjoyed getting to know Chris and learning more about the breadth of his stellar clinical and administrative trajectory. I have also been impressed by his personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. With his strong health care and services experience, he definitely possesses the skills and qualities that personify our ongoing tradition of exceptional humanistic medical school leadership.”

While Dr. Carpenter has a wealth of experience with patient care, when he joined WBUH he was focused on antimicrobial stewardship, and was the Director of WBUH’s Antibiotic Stewardship Program for a decade and a half. He was also the director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program for a decade and was Section Head of Infectious Diseases for half that time before accepting his current role as the Chair and Chief of the Department Internal Medicine back in 2019. Last year, after the merging of Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health, Dr. Carpenter was appointed to the Board at Corewell Health. 

Dr. Carpenter originally earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Michigan before working toward and receiving his Doctor of Medicine from there, as well. He then went on to complete an internal medicine residency at Duke University before taking part in an infectious diseases fellowship at Johns Hopkins University before coming to WBUH in 2000. Dr. Carpenter also holds a Master of Health Services Administration degree from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, which he earned back in 2017.

More information about Corewell Health can be found at its website.

More information about Oakland University can be found at the school’s website.