Dr. Meenakshy Aiyer was appointed by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois to serve as the Interim Regional Dean for the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria. Her appointment to this leadership role follows the retirement of Dr. Sara Rusch, who served in that capacity for 11 years.
Dr. Aiyer is a long-time UICOMP faculty member who has held a number of professional appointments, most recently as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs where she was responsible for medical student education. She has also served as head of the Department of Health Sciences Education, director of the Caterpillar Faculty Scholars Fellowship, Internal Medicine clerkship director, and as faculty advisor to the Internal Medicine Student Special Interest Group. Dr. Aiyer received her medical degree from Madurai Kamaraj University in India and completed her residency at the UICOMP internal medicine residency at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center. Upon completing her residency, she chose to remain in Peoria and joined the faculty of the College of Medicine in 1996. She has authored and co-authored numerous peer reviewed journal articles and abstracts and is the recipient of multiple teaching awards,including five-time recipient of the Raymond B. Allen Golden Apple Award bestowed by UICOMP for outstanding contributions to teaching. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a Fellow with the American College of Physicians (FACP).
This leadership transition also includes the appointment of Dr. Jessica Hanks as Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Dr. Hanks’ previous role as Assistant Dean will be filled by Dr. Jim Graumlich.