Medical College of Wisconsin Announces Dean of the School of Medicine
MILWAUKEE, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is proud to announce that, effective today, Brett Kissela, MD, GME '96, MS, has been appointed Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and the Julia A. Uihlein Dean of the School of Medicine. A nationally recognized neurologist, stroke epidemiologist, and clinician-scientist, Dr. Kissela brings extensive leadership experience in academic medicine, research administration, and health system strategy to one of the nation's largest private medical schools.
As Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the MCW School of Medicine, Dr. Kissela will define and execute a bold strategic vision for the School of Medicine that furthers the shared goals of MCW and its clinical partners. Additional key priorities include advancing scientific research excellence, maintaining the highest quality education for the health science workforce of the future, strengthening financial growth and sustainability, and deepening MCW's community impact and engagement across Wisconsin.
"Dr. Kissela's proven record of success will position him well to navigate the complexity of academic health systems, foster alignment and collaboration across multiple constituencies, and build the infrastructure and leadership necessary to ensure sustained excellence at MCW and our School of Medicine," said Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, MCW's president and chief executive officer and the Dr. Bill and Marlene Listwan Leadership Chair for Caring and Character in Medicine. "Following a robust and comprehensive national search, we're pleased to welcome Dr. Kissela back to the Medical College of Wisconsin to lead our School of Medicine."
Dr. Kissela most recently served as Executive Vice Dean of the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research, Chief of Research Services for UC Health, Director of the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute, and Professor of Neurology, with a focus on building high‑performing teams, strengthening governance, and delivering measurable outcomes in complex, matrixed environments.
"The foundations of the Medical College of Wisconsin are strong, and our opportunity to lead is extraordinary," said Dr. Kissela. "We have the potential to be the most trusted, community-connected, AI-enabled academic health system in America. Where discoveries move faster to patients, physicians are trained differently, and geography no longer predicts outcomes. I want all of these. For us. For our health partners. For our communities."
SOURCE Medical College of Wisconsin
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