• Florida International University this week appointed Dr. Juan Cendan as  Dean of its College of Medicine
• Cendan previously worked as the university’s Vice Dean and Executive Associate Dean of Student Affairs
• in one of his first media appearances as Dean, Cendan promoted the notion of enhanced collaboration with the local medical industry, including some of the state’s largest hospital systems

Florida International University (FIU) appointed Dr. Juan Cendan as Dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Previously, Cendan served as vice dean and executive associate dean of student affairs.

Cendan takes over for Dr. Robert Sackstein, who has moved within the university to become its Senior Vice President of Global Medical Affairs. Cendan’s responsibilities will enable worldwide biomedical science and health care collaborations and partnerships, including one such partnership with Pablo Ortiz, vice president and vice provost of Regional and World Locations, and the FIU Global office, according to the university.

“I look forward to continuing the work of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine as we educate the next generation of physicians alongside our community partners,” Cendan said.

Cendan is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive surgery and surgical adrenal gland problems, according to FIU. His research has focused on the use of simulation in health care training, especially the function of virtual human agents as communication training aids.

Cendan joined FIU from the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, where he served as chair of the Department of Medical Education and Professor of Surgery.

He was previously an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine, wehere he also received his medical degree and completed his surgical residency.

In his new role, Cendan is emphasizing local collaborations in the South Florida medical area. Cendan recently discussed a collaboration with Baptist Health for a clinical trial headed by two FIU academic members to enhance the memory and cognition of Alzheimer’s patients.

FIU students also cycle through a variety of clinical settings in South Florida, ranging from private practices and neighborhood clinics to big hospital systems.

“As a medical school, it is critical that we increase our clinical impact in the community,” Cendan said. “We must grow our health care delivery system by either expanding our own clinic, partnering with local clinical affiliates or both. This will, in turn, help drive our medical education mission and our research enterprise.”