Whitehurst-Cook appointed associate dean of VCU School of Medicine

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley
Division of University Relations

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RICHMOND, Va. (July 6, 2006) — Michelle Whitehurst-Cook, M.D., has been named Associate Dean of Admissions in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, effective July 1. 

Dr. Whitehurst-Cook has served on the School of Medicine faculty since 1993 as Associate Professor of Family Medicine.  She brings a wealth of experience to the Admissions Office in her roles as director of Predoctoral Programs in the Department of Family Medicine, Chair of the VCU School of Medicine Admissions Committee and Co-Physician Coordinator for the Foundations of Clinical Medicine required course for first and second year medical students.  Dr. Whitehurst-Cook also directs the Inner City/Rural Preceptorship Program, which provides educational experiences for medical students interested in providing care to the underserved.

Among many honors, Dr. Whitehurst-Cook has received the VCU Women in Medicine Professional Achievement Award and the VCU School of Medicine Educational Innovation and Educational Research Award. She also was a 2004-2005 fellow in the national Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program for Women.

Dr. Whitehurst-Cook earned her medical degree from the VCU School of Medicine and her undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary.  She completed residency training at the VCU Riverside Family Practice Residency Program in Newport News and practiced rural medicine for 11 years in nearby Providence Forge.

Dr. Whitehurst-Cook will replace Cynthia Heldberg, Ph.D., who retires June 30 after 16 years of distinguished service to the VCU School of Medicine.