OU School of Community Medicine Dean Announces Retirement; Burns Named Interim

May 16, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

We write to share important news about the leadership of the University of Oklahoma School of Community (SCM) Medicine.

After a decade of service to OU, Dr. James M. Herman recently shared his intent to retire at the end of June. In addition to serving as Dean of the OU SCM, he holds the Morningcrest Endowed Leadership Chair and has also served as head of the faculty practice in Tulsa. Since coming to OU in 2015, Dr. Herman has been a tireless ambassador for learners, faculty, staff, and patients alike. He has led a number of signature initiatives, including curricular innovation – the piloting of the highly progressive three-year medical school curriculum stands as a notable recent distinction. Most meaningful, however, is the servant culture he has nurtured at the School of Community Medicine. His legacy of service and innovation continues to shape the University of Oklahoma and the Tulsa community for the better. We sincerely wish him the best as he enters retirement.

With Dr. Herman’s retirement, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Boyd (Bo) D. Burns has agreed to serve as Interim Dean of the OU SCM, pending Board of Regents’ approval, effective July 1, 2025.

As the George Kaiser Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Burns has led one of the region’s most respected residency programs, tripling faculty size and expanding clinical training across multiple health systems. In 2024, he was appointed Chief of Staff at Hillcrest Medical Center, where he continues to champion quality, safety, and interprofessional collaboration.

Dr. Burns is a nationally recognized voice in academic medicine. He recently served as President of the Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine (CORD), advocating for innovation and excellence in graduate medical education. He is also a recipient of the EMRA Chair of the Year Award and a frequent contributor to leading journals and national conferences.

Known for his transparent, relationship-centered leadership, Dr. Burns has earned the trust of colleagues across departments, campuses, and health systems. As Interim Dean, he will lead with the same spirit of collaboration, integrity, and purpose that has defined his career.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Burns on this well-deserved appointment and in supporting him as he guides the School of Community Medicine through this important period of transition, during which he will work closely with Dr. Herman. 

Sincerely,

Ian F. Dunn, M.D., FACS, FAANS

Executive Dean, OU College of Medicine

Gary E. Raskob, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President and Provost, OU Health Sciences