EVMS looked toward its future Thursday with the official installation of Richard V. Homan, MD, as the school's Provost and Dean.

Dr. Homan comes to EVMS amid significant growth. The school recently opened a new building and expanded class sizes, and it is focusing on areas of research and patient care where it can bring greatest benefit to Hampton Roads.

"He has a vision for how EVMS can best serve this community — how we can build on our strengths to fully realize the dreams of those who established EVMS 40 years ago, and how we can grow into the most community-oriented medical school in the nation," said President Harry T. Lester. "I'm excited to see what the future holds and how EVMS will thrive under Dr. Homan's leadership."

Dr. Homan is the school's 12th Dean. He has held leadership positions on several institutions, most recently as President and Dean at the Drexel University College of Medicine.

Dr. Homan says EVMS is poised to reach new heights. He plans to focus on strengthening the school's research enterprise and its relationships with hospital partners throughout the region, as well as providing innovative education to medical and health professions students.

"I want to provide the resources for our dedicated faculty to be as successful as they can be and for EVMS to achieve national recognition," he said. "I want the EVMS diploma to be even more valuable in the future than it is today."