Clebak named associate dean for Graduate Medical Education

Penn State College of Medicine has appointed Karl Clebak, MD, MHA, FAAFP, as the new Designated Institutional Official (DIO) and associate dean for Graduate Medical Education (GME) for the College of Medicine and Penn State Health, effective January 2025.

Clebak brings a wealth of experience to his new role and will collaborate closely with Beth Herman, DEd, who has been a pivotal member of the Graduate Medical Education office at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for over 35 years and has served as Vice DIO since 2023.

An alumnus of Penn State, Clebak earned his Bachelor of Science, medical doctorate, and Master of Health Administration from the university.

Currently an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, he has held numerous leadership roles, including medical director for Family Medicine at Nyes Road and the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center project co-lead for the AAMC’s E-consult/Enhanced Referrals Project. Additionally, he has been the program director of the Family and Community Medicine Residency Program since 2019 and has served on the core Residency Faculty since 2016.

Clebak’s contributions extend beyond the walls of the College of Medicine and Penn State Health; he has been involved in various state and national leadership roles with the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, and American Board of Family Medicine. His scholarly interests focus on educational innovations in residency training, including virtual recruitment, mentorship programs for residents, and addressing the impact of COVID-19 on resident well-being and burnout. He is particularly interested in enhancing the integration of evidence-based medicine and artificial intelligence into GME.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Clebak as he steps into this vital role,” said Erica Friedman, MD, vice dean for Educational Affairs. “His vision will build upon our strengths and support and enrich the educational environment for our residents while enhancing clinical care and community commitment.”

“As we celebrate Dr. Clebak’s appointment, we also want to honor the significant contributions of Ted Bollard, MD, who has laid down two remarkable 12-year legacies,” Friedman continued. “First as director of the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program, and more recently, as DIO/Associate Dean for GME. With 28 years of service as faculty at the College of Medicine and the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Dr. Bollard’s dedication to leadership, education, and humanitarian efforts has profoundly shaped our institutions.”

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