Virginia Tech Carilion has a brand new dean for its School of Medicine. Dr. Lee Learman was chosen after a nationwide search to take over for the school’s founding dean. His appointment won’t just be important for his students, but for the Roanoke Valley as well.

There is work in progress outside of Virginia Tech Carilion School of medicine and inside. Learman hasn’t even had a chance to get unpacked in his new office, but is ready for the job. He comes from Florida Atlantic University where he served as senior associate dean for academic affairs and the senior associate dean for graduate medical education.

Dr. Learman specializes in obstetrics and gynecology and has been in academic medicine for 25 years. He said he plans to build upon the school’s already strong foundation. But to make it one of the best medical schools in the country, Learman said he doesn’t just want these students to be good doctors. He wants to start teaching them about the health care industry as a whole from day one.