PRESIDENT RAHN ACCEPTS NEW ROLE IN ARKANSAS

Dr. Daniel W. Rahn, the seventh president of the Medical College of Georgia, today was endorsed by the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees as the new chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Dr. Rahn’s start date in Arkansas has yet to be determined but is anticipated to occur before the end of the calendar year. He will leave MCG after nearly 18 years of service to the university, the last eight as president.

“President Rahn has put MCG on and leaves MCG on an upward trajectory,” said Erroll B. Davis Jr., chancellor of the University System of Georgia, citing MCG’s growth in applications, enrollment, research funding and many other important performance measures tracked by the university. “We thank him for his dedicated stewardship of MCG, one of Georgia’s most significant resources, and his commitment to better health for all Georgians.”

Under Dr. Rahn’s leadership, MCG achievements include increasing the student applicant pool more than 40 percent, growing minority student enrollment to almost 30 percent, extending the Augusta campus footprint from 80 acres to almost 100, marking a 75 percent increase in sponsored research and significantly enhancing MCG’s impact statewide, most notably by establishing partner, satellite and distance-learning campuses throughout Georgia.

Dr. Rahn has overseen tremendous strides in battling cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes/obesity, infection/inflammation and neurological disease—the diseases that most greatly impact Georgians—in MCG’s mission to improve health and reduce the burden of illness on society.

“For the past 18 years, Lana and I have been honored to be a part of the Augusta community and the MCG community,” Dr. Rahn said. “I’ve always said this is the greatest privilege of my career – serving as MCG’s president. And while we leave MCG with heavy hearts, we know that the committed faculty and staff will continue the good work of this university.”

Dr. Rahn will continue advancing MCG’s most significant projects, including medical school expansion and construction of a new School of Dentistry facility, prior to his departure. “I’m here and I’m working,” Dr. Rahn said, “and I continue to be engaged in and excited about what is happening at this university.”

“President Rahn’s departure is certainly a loss to higher education and health care in Georgia,” Chancellor Davis said. “We will endeavor to attract an experienced leader who can build on the strength, record of achievement and momentum that Dan leaves behind.”