With a career spanning over forty years in medical practice, education, research, clinical practice, and leadership, Dr. Rosenberg brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to his role as dean of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC). In his previous roles, including chief of medicine at the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, vice dean of education and academic affairs at the University of Minnesota Medical School, and president at the American Society of Nephrology, Dr. Rosenberg’s journey illustrates a deep dedication to enhancing the impact and reach of medical education. His experience and accomplishments show a commitment to innovation, diversity, and social accountability. We set out to discover his vision for AUC, his perspectives on being a new resident on Sint Maarten, and how he plans to interact with students and faculty and lead the charge as dean.
Q: Can you tell us what brought you to AUC?
A: I was interested to apply my expertise and experience in medical education in a new setting, and to have an impact on the process of educating the next generation of physicians. AUC is an opportunity medical school that provides a broader academic range and diversity of students with a pathway to become physicians. I embrace and welcome this opportunity. I was impressed with the commitment of faculty and staff at AUC to the academic success of students, and with the diversity of the student body and faculty. I was also impressed with the clinical component of the educational program at AUC, with outstanding opportunities for clinical rotations at hospitals and clinics in the United States and United Kingdom. The outcomes of the school are excellent, with a 98% first time residency attainment rate* for students entering residency. There is a shortage and maldistribution of physicians across the world, and I feel that I can have an impact on improving this critical workforce.
* First time residency attainment rate is the percent of students attaining a 2024-25 residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2023-24 who were active applicants in the 2024 NRMP match or who attained a residency position outside the NRMP match.
Q: What are you most excited about in your new role at AUC?
A: I am excited to build on the excellent academic program at AUC — at both the Sint Maarten and UCLan/U.K. locations and at clinical sites in the United States and England — and design a comprehensive and innovative medical education program that leads to student success. To me, it is about making our students’ dreams of becoming physicians come true. I am committed and motivated to this work. The faculty and educational leaders at both of our locations are outstanding and I look forward to working with them as we continue to improve our educational program. Most of all, I am excited to meet and interact with our amazing students.
Q: How has the transition to life on Sint Maarten been so far?
A: Sint Maarten is a fantastic place. Friendly and welcoming people, gorgeous beaches and ocean, a variety of restaurants, and an accessible airport to launch any trip. I had no issues adjusting to life on the island.
Q: Tell us about your vision for the future of AUC and your plans to achieve it.
A: My goal is for AUC to be an opportunity medical school for all students with an educational program designed to meet the individualized needs of each learner. Together with our faculty and educational leaders, and in collaboration with our educational partners, we will design a system of education that leverages the science of how people learn and apply it to programming that prioritizes student success. I also envision establishing a learning environment that supports students’ wellness and connects students with our Sint Maarten and Preston, England, communities.
Q: How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you interact with students and faculty?
A: I am a very relationship-based leader. It is important to me to take the time to build a productive and trusting working relationship with students, faculty, staff, and educational leaders and to establish a culture of “I care if you succeed.” My leadership values include integrity, transparency, accountability, honesty, and for us to have a culture of respect and kindness.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing healthcare today, and how can AUC graduates help address them?
A: Workforce shortages for all healthcare professionals are a challenge that can limit the availability and accessibility of high-quality care. There is a particular need for physicians of all backgrounds to work in rural and urban underserved communities, per the American Medical Association. AUC educates a large and very diverse group of students who are poised to meet this need. Also, health disparities remain in most parts of the world and are an important target to improving health for all. We are committed to making sure our students understand health disparity issues and are motivated to make a difference.
Q: How do you see international learning experiences enhancing the education of AUC students?
A: International learning experiences provide a unique perspective on the delivery of healthcare. Students have a chance to learn at hospitals and clinics in both the United States and United Kingdom, and to witness different models of care delivery. They also have a chance to live in Sint Maarten and to participate in the healthcare system on the island. These experiences add an important dimension to their medical education and prepare them to be attractive candidates to residency programs, which is the next step in their medical education journey.
Q: Can you share your thoughts on the role of social accountability in medical education?
A: AUC supports the World Health Organization’s 1995 definition of social accountability and translates that definition to our context in several ways. First, AUC interprets social accountability as meaningful community engagement, program planning in collaboration with local health professionals, and responsiveness to health priorities. Second, social accountability is defined as a commitment to access to quality healthcare for everyone, including primary care for underserved populations. Third, social accountability contextualizes direct patient care and explicitly acknowledges factors that lie outside of healthcare facilities which contribute to both the wellness and ill health of people in both campuses and countries. AUC’s strong culture of service and advocacy informs both the four-year educational program and our graduates’ long-term career choices.
Q: How do you intend to support students in their aspirations to serve in healthcare, particularly in underserved areas?
A: Our community engagement office, under the leadership of Dr. Natalie Humphrey, is leading the way in supporting students to serve in underserved areas. Students have the opportunity to participate in many different community engagement projects, including Community Action Days that occur once per semester. Our IMPACTS curriculum, covering social determinants of health, diversity, equity, inclusion, and public health components, provides more formal education regarding these topic areas that are particularly relevant to introducing students to issues related to underserved populations.
Q: Why is fostering a diverse learning community important to you, and how will you promote this at AUC?
A: AUC is welcoming to students of all backgrounds and experiences. I have been impressed with the diversity of our student body, faculty, and staff and I am committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive learning environment for all. Diversity fosters excellence and makes us a better school, helping us to achieve our mission of training tomorrow’s physicians through “a diverse learning community and an emphasis on social accountability and engagement.” Our graduates make a difference in the communities and patients they serve. This impact starts with fostering an inclusive environment while they attend classes at our Sint Maarten and U.K. locations.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine, and what keeps you motivated?
A: For me, choosing medicine was a combination of my fascination with science and the desire to help others. Medicine is at the sweet spot of this intersection. I am constantly amazed at the intricacies of how the body functions, and how this function becomes deranged in disease states. William Osler, who is considered one of the founders of modern medicine, stated, “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.” To me, this epitomizes a career in medicine. It is not enough to have knowledge about the disease; you also need to be able to treat the individual patient with the skill, care, and compassion that everyone deserves. I am motivated by the opportunity at AUC to educate future physicians in both the needed medical knowledge and the professional skills required to be great physicians.
Q: Can you share a few of your proudest career achievements?
A: I had the opportunity to serve in several leadership roles for my professional society, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), including being ASN president in 2019. ASN is the leading professional organization for kidney health professionals, with over 21,000 members in 142 different countries. During my president year in 2019, then-U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Advancing American Kidney Health initiative. The goal of this executive order is to decrease the rate of end-stage renal disease by 25% by the year 2030 by improving patient access to kidney transplants and supporting living donors.
I am also proud of my time at the University of Minnesota, the quality of the institution, the team I helped build, and the innovative medical education programs we established. I enjoy hearing from learners who have graduated from our program at the University of Minnesota and being able to see the impact they are having as they establish their careers.
Q: What advice would you give to prospective students considering a career in medicine?
A: I have always viewed medicine as a dream profession and have been fascinated by medicine almost every working day. Being a physician provides an opportunity to apply the knowledge about disease states to make people’s lives better. My advice to prospective students is to embrace the opportunity to learn medicine and always keep your future patients front of mind. You have an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Few occupations provide such an opportunity to have a major and meaningful impact. Study hard, but also make time for the things that bring you joy. Maintain meaningful relationships in your life, and nurture new ones. Your classmates are your peer group, and you will always have a special connection with them.
Thank you, Dr. Rosenberg, for your insights and dedication.
Dr. Rosenberg’s commitment to student success, societal impact, and innovation helps make AUC a nurturing space for future healthcare leaders. If you aspire to make a real difference and are seeking a supportive, forward-thinking learning environment, AUC has a place for you. Begin your journey toward a fulfilling medical career with us today. Discover how to launch your dream of becoming a physician, guided by Dr. Rosenberg’s visionary leadership.
