Gastroenterologist Richard I. Rothstein, MD has been named interim Chair of Medicine at Dartmouth Medical School and Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Rothstein, currently the Chief of the Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and a professor of medicine and of surgery at Dartmouth Medical School, will serve during the transition to a new permanent chair. He will succeed Dr. Murray Korc, who will step down after eight years as chair of medicine. Dr. Rothstein’s appointment takes effect August 1.
“I am delighted that Rich Rothstein has agreed to take on this important assignment,” said Dartmouth-Hitchcock Co-President Dr. James N. Weinstein. “This is an important transition for the Department of Medicine, and Rich has the experience and skills to guide the department during the search for Dr. Korc’s successor.”
A graduate of the Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Rothstein has been a member of the DHMC staff since 1985, and became section chief of Gastroenterology in 1997. During his leadership, the section developed centers of excellence in gastrointestinal and liver disorders and endoscopy. Dr. Rothstein has a special interest in esophageal function and disease. His research has included the development of less invasive endoscopic therapies for the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus and obesity. Dr. Rothstein is considered a pioneer in the evolving field of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), and he is evaluating the role of robotics in endoscopy. He is a principal investigator in the Norris Cotton Cancer Center studying the effect of dietary supplements to prevent gastrointestinal cancer.
Dr. Rothstein is the Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education at Dartmouth Medical School, and has been actively involved in professional education and leadership development. He is an elected member of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Board of Governors. “Dr. Rothstein is a talented physician-educator and we are most appreciative of his willingness to serve in this key leadership role,” noted Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of Dartmouth Medical School Dr. Wiley “Chip” Souba.
The Department of Medicine is the largest department at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, including 16 clinical sections and a half-dozen special programs.
Dartmouth Medical School occupies a distinctive place in American medical education. One of the nation's first medical schools, today it is highly regarded for its emphasis on innovation and leadership. The School melds the resources of an Ivy League institution and a world class academic health care system to provide outstanding education, research, and service.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock is a national leader in evidence-based and patient-centered health care. The system includes hundreds of physicians, specialists, and other providers who work together at different locations to meet the health care needs of patients in northern New England. In addition to primary care services at local community practices, Dartmouth-Hitchcock patients have access to specialists in almost every area of medicine, as well as world-class research at Dartmouth Medical School and centers such as The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice (TDI).