Dr. Neifeld appointed chairman of Surgery Department at VCU

By Michael Ford
University News Services

The Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University has approved the appointment of surgical oncologist and educator James P. Neifeld, M.D., as Stuart McGuire professor and chairman of the Department of Surgery in the School of Medicine.

A VCU School of Medicine alumnus, Neifeld, 54, also continues as a professor of surgery in the surgical oncology division. He joined the faculty in 1978 and was appointed vice-chair of surgery in April 2002.

"Through the years I have known him, Dr. Neifeld has been dedicated to the department. He is savvy, bright, honest, steady, dependable and trusted by all," said H.H. Newsome, M.D., dean of the VCU School of Medicine. "He is just what we need for the department during these turbulent times in academic medicine."

As surgery chair, Neifeld will lead a department comprised of 10 surgical divisions. "With its legacy of excellence, the surgery department has brought national attention to VCU. This I want to continue," Neifeld said. "I am fortunate to work with many talented and capable surgeons who share my commitment to the department and this university. We will strive to build on our framework of clinical care, teaching, and research. "

Neifeld assumed his new position May 1. He replaces Ronald C. Merrell, M.D., who stepped down to more vigorously pursue his research in telemedicine and portable medical technology for use in remote locations and outer space. Merrell continues as professor of surgery and as director and principle investigator of the VCU Medical Center's NASA Research Partnership Center. Merrell had been chairman of the Department of Surgery since July 1999.

Neifeld completed his internship and residency at VCU and was a clinical associate with the surgery branch of the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., from 1974-76. He was chief surgical resident at VCU, 1977-1978.

Neifeld attended Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., and received his medical degree from the VCU School of Medicine in 1972.