MSU alumnus named as sole finalist for UT Medical Branch position

             At a UT System Board of Regents held April 16, Midwestern State University alumnus Dr. David L. Callender was named as the sole finalist for the position of president of The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

            Dr. Callender graduated from MSU with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1980. He received his Medical Doctorate in 1984 from Baylor College of Medicine and a Master of Business Administration in 1995 from the University of Houston. He currently serves as the director of the UCLA Medical Center and the associate vice chancellor (CEO) for the UCLA Hospital System. He previously held numerous positions at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, including executive vice president and chief operating officer, vice president for clinical programs and medical director of the center's Physicians Referral Service.

            Callender is a head and neck surgeon with a special interest in head and neck cancer.

            The UT System Board of Regents interviewed four candidates, who were narrowed from an original pool of more than 25 nominees and applicants from across the country. Dr Kenneth Shine, chair of the presidential search committee, referred to them as an extraordinary group of candidates.

            The newly appointed president will succeed Dr. John D. Stobo, who plans to retire by Aug. 31.

Callender will be a commencement speaker at Midwestern State University's May 12 ceremony.