What they Are Saying about G. Richard Olds
Hear what some of the state's and campus' and community's leaders are saying about G. Richard Olds' appointment as founding dean of the UCR Medical School.
As a long-time supporter of a four-year medical school at UC Riverside I am excited to see a man of Dr. Olds’ caliber appointed the medical school’s founding dean and I congratulate him on his appointment. Dr. Olds is renowned for his expertise in prevention and cultural competency and having him head up this new medical program will ensure that the Inland Empire, and all of California, will be equipped with skilled doctors who provide quality medical care.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
The appointment of the founding dean of the medical school is an important step for UC Riverside. This new medical school will support the needs of the region, and I hope the state can provide the financial support needed by UCR for this critical endeavor in future years.
California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass
It is a privilege to welcome Dr. G. Richard Olds as he leads the effort to build a new medical school for Riverside. Dr. Olds’ international, highly respected medical expertise will help UC Riverside establish innovative programs for educating and training the next generation of physicians and medical researchers, establishing the school as a key educational resource for meeting the state’s health care needs as well as encouraging medical researchers to draw from world expertise in developing new methods of treatment and patient care.
California Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth
As we move to overcome the most daunting economic challenges we have faced in decades, the appointment of this highly accomplished doctor moves the medical school forward with the promise of a broad and beneficial impact on health care, higher education, and the overall quality of life for the Inland Empire.
California Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter
The appointment of Dr. Olds is an exciting moment for the Inland Empire as it brings us one step closer to launching the UC Riverside School of Medicine. Through this important endeavor, we’ll be better prepared to meet the medical needs of our community while improving access to quality care.
California Assemblyman Bill Emmerson
I’m very pleased with the appointment of Dr. Olds to be the founding vice chancellor and dean of the medical school. We’re fortunate to have a person of his level of expertise, experience and qualifications at this critical time in the planning, development and financing of the UCR School of Medicine.
University of California Regent Bruce Varner
Richard Olds is an outstanding academic leader, scientist and medical educator. He brings a unique set of skills to the job including broad international experience on issues of cultural sensitivity and competence in working with people from diverse backgrounds. His selection attests to the medical school’s commitment to live up to its mission to improve the health of medically underserved populations in the Inland Empire.
Ernest Levister, M.D., Member, Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board for the School of Medicine and Clinical Professor of Medicine at UC Irvine
Dr. Olds stood out among the candidates for his extensive experience in dealing with individuals and communities from a diverse variety of backgrounds. His approachable and professional demeanor will serve him well with the school’s mission of serving the underserved. We look forward to working with a dean with such an exemplary history and wealth of professional experience.
Mary Figueroa, Member, Riverside Community College District Board and Member, dean’s search committee
This is a momentous step forward for the medical school, for the UCR campus and for the future of Inland Southern California. Dr. Olds brings to UCR wide-ranging leadership experience in medical education and research, as well as a worldwide reputation in the fields of international health, infectious disease and parasitology. He is an educational innovator with entrepreneurial talent and boundless energy, traits that will be essential for building this medical school.
UCR Chancellor Timothy P. White