WEST READING, Pennsylvania – Karen Restifo, MD, JD, has been named regional vice dean of Drexel University College of Medicine’s Tower Health campus in West Reading, effective September 1, 2020.
Dr. Restifo comes to Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, where she served as associate dean of student affairs. During her tenure there, she helped with preparation for a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) full accreditation site visit. She also served on numerous committees, including the Student Performance Committee, Student Affairs Committee, Medical Education Committee, Diversity Council, and the Wellness Task Force. She played a role in the development of Keck School of Medicine’s new MD program curriculum.
Before her time at USC, Dr. Restifo was associate dean of student affairs at the University of Arizona College of Medicine at Phoenix, and then at the Texas Christian University and University of North Texas Health Sciences Medical School. During her time in Phoenix, she was part of the school’s transition from regional campus to an independent medical school, including preparing for multiple LCME accreditation site visits. At the University of North Texas, she was involved in curriculum development and preparation for the school’s preliminary LCME accreditation site visit.
Dr. Restifo was recently chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Western Group on Student Affairs, having previously served as vice chair, and chair of the group’s steering committee. She has presented regionally and nationally on the topics of United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE) preparation standardized video interviewing, improvements to residency match culture, and professionalism during the transition to residency. Throughout her career, she has championed student wellness as a critical part of the process of training outstanding physicians.
“The most rewarding thing,” notes Dr. Restifo, “is to work with students who will graduate as well-trained, happy, healthy professionals, ready to get out into the community and take care of patients. It’s an honor to have been chosen for this position.”
After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Restifo attended Georgetown University School of Medicine. She completed an internship at Washington Hospital Center and an emergency medicine residency at Johns Hopkins University. After 10 years at the Yale University School of Medicine, Dr. Restifo attended the University of Connecticut School of Law. She then completed a medical ethics fellowship at Harvard Medical School in 2012.
Clint Matthews, Tower Health President and CEO added, “Tower Health is focused on taking care of all the communities we serve by fulfilling our promise of advancing health and transforming lives. Appointing Dr. Restifo regional vice dean is another important milestone in our partnership with Drexel University and in fulfilling our academic mission by educating the physicians of tomorrow.
“We are very excited about Dr. Restifo’s appointment,” says Drexel College of Medicine Dean Charles B. Cairns, MD. “Drexel’s unique collaboration with Tower Health, a strong regional health system, is a wonderful addition to our legacy of innovation in providing high-quality medical education.”
