Fort Wayne, Indiana (Allen County)
Email: rdusman79@gmail.com
B.A., Indiana University, Biological Sciences and Chemistry, 1979
M.D., Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 1983
Residency, Internal Medicine, 1983-1985, Chief Resident, 1988-1989, Indiana University School of Medicine
Fellowship, Cardiology, 1985-1988, Indiana University School of Medicine
M.B.A., magna cum laude, University of Notre Dame, 2005
It is an honor to be nominated and stand for election as the alumni selection for trustee of Indiana University. I appreciate the opportunity to share how my interests, skills and experience can help Indiana University as a trustee.
I started my undergraduate studies in Bloomington—off and running, literally. I was given an opportunity to walk-on and participate with the men’s cross-country team. This was followed my second year by a shift to cycling and a fifth-place finish with Sig Ep teammates in the Little 500, balanced by my pre-medical studies and feeding the world’s largest collection of fruit flies for work study. My spouse and children are IU graduates of various schools and degree programs. I have been active in medical and graduate education, clinical research, appointed as a volunteer clinical associate professor of medicine and a member of the Dean’s Council. I am a long-standing supporter of the university through memberships in Well House Society, Alumni Association, Varsity Club and was inducted into the IU President’s Circle (2013). I am a strong supporter of IU athletics, and our family has enjoyed season tickets to football and basketball for many years. We have remained integrated in the community of the university since graduation.
My professional career has centered on the practice of cardiology in Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana, specializing in heart rhythm disorders. I have been involved in state-wide cardiovascular health advocacy as past president of the Indiana chapter of the American College of Cardiology. After transition from cardiology practice in 2012, I serve now as president for physician and clinical enterprise at Parkview Health, northeast Indiana’s largest employer with 1200 physicians and advanced practice providers, 4500 nurses and 16,000 co-workers in total. My executive oversight spans all aspects of our healthcare delivery, with a focus on safety, quality, and delivery models to better serve our patients and community. I serve as vice chairman of the Parkview Health board of directors.
Community service has been an important part of my life, most recently as a board member with Erin’s House for Grieving Children, YMCA of greater Fort Wayne, and as a former trustee for University of St Francis. I also have served as a physician volunteer at Matthew 25 free medical clinic, located in downtown Fort Wayne.
The landscape of higher education continues to evolve and some of the complex challenges facing universities include student access to educational opportunities, affordability, value, career preparation for a competitive market and overall organizational health from the perspective of talent, operational efficiency, and funding. There will be less students matriculating in the future overall and today’s access to education is marked by alternative pathways, the increasing number of non-traditional students, the more recent effects of the pandemic on education at all levels and perhaps overall confidence in the educational system. Competition for students will only accelerate. Students need a safe environment to explore diversity of ideas, refine and strengthen values, and promote intellectual curiosity. Each student has unique needs, therefore individualizing the educational experience and needed resources will improve outcomes of retention, academic and career success. There should be a priority on recruitment and development of faculty, including funding support for research and innovation. The IU School of Medicine is the nation’s largest medical school and is pivotal as we face future shortages of physicians and other healthcare professionals. A focus on the mental well-being of students, faculty and staff must be prioritized. Continuing to engage graduates with the university over their lifetime will remain important. The changing landscape of collegiate athletics will continue to evolve and pose challenges to financial models, recruitment and retention of players and coaches.
My interest is simple—being able to give back to the university a unique perspective as a physician, healthcare and community leader, educator, and long-standing supporter of IU. If elected, I would be the only physician and trustee from northeast Indiana, providing a balance and expertise that would complement fellow trustees and university executives as they tackle known and future challenges, and continue to strengthen the university to thrive for decades to come. I do not pretend to know all issues or even solutions to high priority items presently—but pledge an objective, prepared, collaborative approach to governance in the best interests of Indiana University.
I sincerely appreciate your consideration.
Ray Dusman