Jennifer R. Kogan, MD, and Ilene M. Rosen, MD, MSCE, have assumed new leadership positions at the Perelman School of Medicine at Penn Medicine. Kogan began her role as vice dean for Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) in July 2025, while Rosen was appointed associate dean for Graduate Medical Education (GME) and vice president for GME in January 2025.
These appointments introduce a revised organizational structure aimed at reducing divisions between resources for medical students and those in residency or fellowship programs. Lisa M. Bellini, MD, executive vice dean of the Perelman School of Medicine and senior vice president of Academic Affairs for the University of Pennsylvania Health System, now oversees both roles.
“We wanted to leverage the continuum between undergraduate and graduate medical education,” Bellini said. “And with Dr. Kogan’s and Dr. Rosen’s expertise, we will be able to create some paradigms for medical education that fit with our strategic plan, so that’s really exciting. I feel like this is a new era in education.”
Kogan has indicated plans to increase clinical exposure for students early in their training: “Right now, our students do shadowing, engage in community clinics, and work with standardized patients to learn clinical skills, but they’re not embedded in the clinical environment,” she said. “I think we have a great opportunity to move clinical training earlier.”
Both leaders are also focusing on supporting mental health among students and trainees by reviving the Wellness Committee and requiring wellness goals as part of Individualized Learning Plans. Rosen collaborates with leaders on the House Staff Council and program directors to foster community and address systemic wellness issues.
Rosen also expressed interest in expanding coaching opportunities: “Expanding coaching across the continuum would be another step towards precision education and make us a really novel place to learn and train,” she said.
Implementing these changes requires additional financial support for infrastructure development, technology integration into medical education, flexible training options, expanded coaching programs, and research funding to evaluate effectiveness. Philanthropy remains important given current funding challenges.
“We’re trying to lead in the evolution of medical education,” Rosen said. “We want to make sure that when people think about the University of Pennsylvania, they think: ‘That’s where the cutting-edge, best medical training happens,’ and that everyone is looking to us for what’s next.”
