UF cardiologist named to faculty affairs leadership position

December 6, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Dr. Marian C. Limacher has been named senior associate dean for faculty affairs and professional development for the University of Florida College of Medicine.

In this new role, Limacher will focus on implementing collegewide programs that help faculty advance in their professional careers. She also will oversee initiatives to update promotion and tenure processes, enhance diversity of college faculty, and implement orientation, educational, mentoring and recognition programs that aim to improve faculty satisfaction, well-being and performance.

“Dr. Limacher is uniquely suited for this position. She is an accomplished physician-scientist and educator who has personally excelled in all College of Medicine mission areas,” said Dr. Michael L. Good, the dean of the college and the Folke H. Peterson dean’s distinguished professor.

As the Suncoast endowed professor in cardiovascular research, Limacher is nationally known for her work to prevent cardiovascular disease, particularly in women and the elderly. She also directs the UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s Clinical Research Training and Career Development Program. In addition, she chaired the Faculty Forward Task Force, which directed the administration, analysis and communication of an extensive faculty satisfaction survey for the college from 2009 to 2010.

Limacher has played an instrumental role in the Women’s Health Initiative, serving as principal investigator for UF’s Clinical Center in this landmark study, which focuses on preventing heart disease, breast and colorectal cancer, and osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. The study’s findings on hormone treatment have changed clinical practice. Other related work has focused on rural health and lifestyle interventions.

A graduate of the St. Louis University School of Medicine, Limacher completed an internship in medicine, her residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiology at Baylor College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals in Houston. She is board-certified in internal medicine and in cardiovascular disease She also is certified by the National Board of Echocardiography.

An active clinician and mentor, Limacher is an attending cardiologist at Shands at UF.