Jr. Dr. Julius Combs was not able to attend. Part of his initiative to expand and energize the advisory group, Dr. Crissman s recent appointments have raised the number of board members to just over 30. Drawn from diverse communities served by the school, members are physicians some with special expertise in medical administration, as well as leaders in diverse fields including business, union, finance, publishing, public relations, law and religion. As advisors to the dean, these accomplished individuals share their expertise and informed perspectives on issues relevant to the school and to academic medicine. Equally important, BOV members provide an advocacy network, building links between the school and its local, state, national and international constituencies.
Members also assist in the school s resource development programs.
The group s current chair is Margaret Smith, a board member since 1994. Smith views alumni participation in BOV activities as essential to their success. Widely respected for decades of community service, she has worked to improve health care and education in Detroit and beyond. Smith also sits on the board of the Detroit Medical Center and was the first woman to chair the Kresge Foundation Board. In 1999, she received the School of Medicine s Distinguished Service Award and was named by The Michigan Women s Foundation as one of its Women of Achievement and Courage .