The University of Tennessee Health Science Center has named Dr. Michael Hocker the new executive dean of the College of Medicine, the largest of its colleges. 

Hocker is dean and chief academic officer for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine and senior vice president for the UT Health RGV clinical practice. 

His begins at UTHSC in July. 

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“We are extremely fortunate to welcome Mike to our outstanding leadership team,” said UTHSC Chancellor Dr. Peter Buckley. “Mike is a mentor for students, residents and faculty, and he is a proven and inspirational leader in workforce development, clinical practice governance, philanthropic outreach and collaborative community partnerships.” 

Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine was founded in 2014, and Hocker led the college through full accreditation of its medical education programs. 

He also led the School of Medicine’s continued accreditation for its Graduate Medical Education program and developed a new GME consortium that included 10 new programs and 250 residency/fellowship positions.

Hocker developed a clinical practice plan to support a new $156 million cancer and ambulatory surgery center, a full-service radiology lab and physical therapy space, and oversaw the opening of a new neurosciences institute and a human genomics center.

Hocker previously served as senior associate dean and designated institutional official for Graduate Medical Education at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, where he oversaw 51 residency programs. 

And he spent 14 years at Duke University School of Medicine, where he helped establish and lead the emergency training program. 

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A former U.S. Navy flight surgeon, Hocker holds degrees from Fort Lewis College, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Duke University. 

He said he’s drawn to UTHSC’s statewide vision, broad impact and multiple campuses. 

“We will develop health care leaders, advance human health through high-quality clinical care, advance knowledge through research and education and serve the community of Tennessee,” Hocker said. 

Hocker will replace Dr. G. Nicholas Verne, a gastroenterologist and physician scientist who has served as UTHSC College of Medicine interim dean since Dr. Scott Strome resigned from his position in August 2023. 

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Verne joined the university in 2019 as the chair of the department of medicine, a role he will maintain when Hocker’s tenure begins. 

“Nick has done an outstanding job fostering collaboration among the college and our hospital affiliates,” Buckley said. “We are tremendously indebted to him for his stellar service, his great leadership, and his attention and care for students, faculty, and staff in the college. We are excited he will continue at the helm of the department of medicine and serve as a vital colleague for Mike and for all of us.”