UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new UT Tyler School of Medicine along Beckham Avenue in Tyler on Jan. 23, 2023. Students are learning at the UT Tyler Health Science Center campus until the Medical Education Building opens in October 2025. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File)

Interim leadership has been named for the UT Tyler School of Medicine, the university confirmed Friday afternoon.

Dr. Brigham C. Willis, UT Tyler School of Medicine founding dean, on Tuesday announced his decision to step down as dean, UT Tyler said in a statement to the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

Willis cited the need to “spend more time with family,” according to UT Tyler.

Now, Interim Dean Dr. Sue Cox has assumed the role during the transition. Cox is a nationally recognized leader in the medical education field and has been with the school of medicine since before its founding, according to UT Tyler.

While Cox serves in the interim, the university said it plans to initiate a national search for a new dean in the coming weeks.

Cox, an ob-gyn with 30 years of experience, is described as “a leader in medical education,” according to the university’s website. She served as executive vice dean of academics and chair of the Department of Medical Education at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. Cox was the lead designer for the Dell Medical School curriculum and co-chaired the accreditation steering committee, according to the UT Tyler SOM.

“Dr. Cox is known for emphasizing leadership skills, collaboration, innovation, problem-solving and cross-disciplinary teamwork with a focus on value-based healthcare,” the university’s website states.

UT Tyler says the medical school’s future is bright.

“The medical students are thriving, and the future of the School of Medicine is incredibly bright,” said Beverley Golden, associate vice president of strategic communications and media relations with UT Tyler.

Willis was announced as founding dean of the medical school in November 2021 after being selected following a national search.

The School of Medicine is the seventh medical school in the UT system and the first in Northeast Texas. The school welcomed its second class of medical students this summer. The school was founded to fill the need for physicians in northeast Texas.

During Willis’ time as dean, he welcomed the first and second class of medical students. Willis emphasized the importance of community involvement.

The state-of-the-art school of medicine building is undergoing construction and is making progress, with work expected to be completed in 2025. The school currently holds a preliminary accreditation. In 2025, it will be surveyed for temporary accreditation.