The WVU School of Medicine has named Nathan “Nate” Lerfald, M.D., as the Department of Medicine chair.
Dr. Lerfald assumes the position after serving as the vice chair for education and the associate chief quality officer since 2017. He currently holds the Anthony G. DiBartolomeo Professorship in Medicine.
Lerfald is board certified in internal medicine. He earned his medical degree in 1997, and in 2000, he completed his residency in internal medicine, both at WVU. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Wake Forest University.
A native of Charleston, West Virginia, Lerfald is eager to lead a program focused on providing quality education and healthcare to West Virginians.
“The WVU Department of Medicine is leading the way for primary care, hospital and intensive care and subspecialty care, not only in Morgantown but throughout the region,” Dr. Lerfald said. “With a focus on compassionately delivering quality healthcare through innovation, the department will continue improving the health and wellbeing of the people of West Virginia and bordering states. I am excited to lead this department and serve the state that I have called home for most of my life.”
Lerfald serves on various committees through the institution and hospital system, including the University Health Associates Board of Directors and the WVU Medicine COVID Response Incident Command.
“Nate’s leadership, commitment to excellence, and focus on high-quality medicine, real-world research, education and mentorship make him a perfect leader for the Department of Medicine,” Clay Marsh, M.D., chancellor and executive dean for WVU Health Sciences, said.
Lerfald says he hopes to put his institutional knowledge to work in helping lead the ‘department into its next phase of growth.
Lerfald resides in Morgantown with his wife, Charmin, a former teacher at University High School. The couple raised their three children, Erika, Kathryn and Andrew, in Morgantown.
Lerfald assumes the role vacated by Arif Sarwari, M.D., who was named the School’s associate dean for clinical affairs. Steve Hoffmann, M.D., has served as interim chair since July 1, 2022.
About West Virginia University School of Medicine:
With a required rural health experience included in the curriculum, many graduates choose to make West Virginia their home and practice in the specialized field of rural medicine, helping to help meet our state’s pressing health care needs. Others join equally competitive residency and postdoctoral programs around the country. A WVU medical education can prepare you for a challenging career in medicine, research and academia. Guided by our mission of transforming lives and eliminating health disparities, the WVU School of Medicine remains at the service of West Virginia and its people.
- Mission
The West Virginia University School of Medicine is a connected community of students, teachers, staff, practitioners and researchers who value health and wellness. We support a culture of purpose, accountability, honesty and gratitude that prepares our learners to be resilient and confident as they care for people, conduct research and transform lives.
About Nathan M. Lerfald , MD, FACP:
Vice Chair of Education and Associate Professor, Nathan Lerfald, M.D., FACP, joined the West Virginia University School of Medicine family in 2000 after completing both his medical degree, and his residency in internal medicine with the University. Before moving to the mountain state, Dr. Lerfald earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
In 2001, Dr. Lerfald was selected as a Chief Resident at West Virginia University and joined the section of internal medicine where he served as an associate program director and program director for 16 years. During his time as program director, he expanded the residency program and established the hospitalist service.
A dedicated member of the WVU School of Medicine team, Dr. Lerfald’s mentorship of medical students, residents and young faculty has earned him numerous accolades including his recognition as an Anthony G. DiBartolomeo Professor of Medicine, and Outstanding Faculty Award for the WVU Department of Internal Medicine in 2018.
As Medical Director of Quality & Patient Safety, Dr. Lerfald is an active member of a number of committees both within WVU School of Medicine and WVU Medicine including WVU Medicine’s Quality Executive Committee.
Source:
News: https://medicine.wvu.edu/News/Story?headline=department-of-medicine-names-new-chair
Doctor: https://directory.hsc.wvu.edu/Profile/30466#biography
School: https://medicine.wvu.edu/about/