Dayton Daily News: Wright State, Premier Health appoint Florida doctor to dual leadership role

Raj Mitra will serve as dean of the Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine and chief academic officer at Premier Health.

As part of Wright State University and Premier Health’s ongoing partnership, the two organizations appointed a Florida doctor and professor to a new dual position through the academic medical center both are developing.

Dr. Raj Mitra has been named dean of the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine and chief academic officer at Premier Health.

“I was particularly inspired by the shared mission of the two organizations to support the community through excellence in innovative research, exceptional teaching and world-class patient care,” Mitra said about why he sought the position.

The enhanced affiliation between Wright State and Premier Health was first announced in December. It mirrors agreements that other hospital networks, like the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus and UC Health in Cincinnati, have with universities.

Mitra is the first to hold the new dual role responsible for initiatives around developing a more integrated delivery of academic and clinical services at both institutions through the enhanced affiliation between Wright State and Premier Health.

“This is particularly timely in southern Ohio and throughout our country, where we will face a substantial physician shortage over the next decade,” Mitra said.

Mitra comes to the Dayton region from Florida, where he has been serving as professor of medicine and associate dean of clinical affairs at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and chief medical officer at UCF Health.

His appointment, which takes effect March 10, 2025, followed a national search.

“Dr. Mitra’s appointment will advance the region’s medical, clinical and nursing workforce and enhance our research culture, creating a more robust learning environment for our students and providing patients with better access to vital, highly specialized medical care closer to home,” said Sue Edwards, Wright State University president.

Mitra has contributed to research, advising and policy development, particularly in addressing the nation’s opioid crisis, through his expertise in rehabilitation medicine and pain management. Mitra has previously served as a physician advisor for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and an expert consultant for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Dr. Mitra personifies our commitment to excellence in clinical teaching, which is central to the missions of both of our institutions,” said Mike Riordan, president and CEO of Premier Health.

Read the complete article at daytondailynews.com.