Professor of Medicine and former interim dean of the Tufts School of Medicine Nicolaos Madias, M.D. will serve as the first chief academic officer for Caritas Christi Health Care, the second-largest health care system in New England.
"I'm very excited about it because in one sense, pursuing this goal not only serves education and research, but in essence becomes an instrument of integration for the system," said Madias, who began his stint at Caritas Christi three months ago.
The position was created in order to develop hospital research objectives, advance academic programs for students, and unify their six hospital system.
"I'm interested in promoting educational matters within the system that involve undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate programs," Madias said. "My goal is to increase scholarship within the whole system."
As an internationally known nephrologist (kidney specialist), Madias is well respected for his work regarding acid-base and electrolyte physiology and treatment for hypertensive disorders.
"Nick Madias has been on the Tufts faculty for a long time," said Dean of the Tufts Medical School Michael Rosenblatt, M.D. "I think he's a great choice for [chief academic officer]. The personal connections between him, me, and other Tufts affiliates will strengthen an already strong tie between the Medical School and Caritas St. Elizabeth's."
Madias will continue to serve as chairman of Medicine at Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, one of Tufts' major affiliated teaching hospitals and the system center for Caritas Christi. He has acted as chairman since February, overseeing 15 medical divisions with a physician staff of 620 people.
According to Rosenblatt, Madias is well prepared for his new position. "He's got a lot of experience about how a medical school runs and how it relates to its affiliated teaching hospitals, and I think that can only help in this new position."
Madias will also continue to teach at the Tufts Medical School.
Madias earned his M.D. from Athens University School of Medicine in 1968, and completed his residency at Waltham Hospital and Caritas St. Elizabeth's. He first joined Tufts Medical School in 1973 as a research fellow. He became an associate professor in 1980 and a full professor by 1988.
Madias has longstanding connections at the Tufts-New England Medical Center (T-NEMC), where he has worked in the Nephrology Division for many years.
He was appointed director of research at T-NEMC in 1981 and served as division chief from 1982 until 1999, when he rose to the position of executive academic dean for the Tufts' School of Medicine.
As a researcher for the American Heart Association, Madias has written over 150 publications and has served on editorial boards for professional publications, including the Nephrology Forum, Kidney International, International Angiology, and Hellenic Medical Journal.
He has also received a number of grants and awards, including the Oliver Smith Award from T-NEMC, honorary doctorates from the Ioannina School of Medicine and the University of Patras School of Medicine, as well as the Distinguished Faculty Award and several citations for excellence in teaching from the Tufts School of Medicine.
The hospitals within the Caritas health care system include St. Elizabeth's, Carney Hospital in Boston, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Holy Family in Methuen, St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, and Norwood Hospital.
"Caritas Christi has an uncompromising commitment to the finest medical care, education, and research," Madias remarked in Caritas press release. "I am delighted to lead the effort that will move the system to a new level of academic strength and growth."
