J. Adrian Tyndall, MD, MPH, FACEP, the Hal B. Jenson, MD Dean, president and CEO of Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed), has been elected by his peers to serve as chair-elect of the AAMC Council of Deans (COD) Administrative Board. In the new role, Dr. Tyndall will also join the 19-member AAMC Board of Directors, a distinguished group of physician leaders, educators, researchers, health system executives, and learners who will help guide the mission of the organization to improve the health of all.
The Council of Deans is the only organization of its kind, bringing together the deans of AAMC-member medical schools across the United States and Canada to address issues affecting academic medicine and to develop strategies that advance excellence in medical education, research, and patient care. The Administrative Board, elected by the Council's membership, provides leadership and direction for the Council.
Dr. Tyndall's six-year leadership progression will begin following Learn Serve Lead: The AAMC Annual Meeting in November 2026. He will serve as chair-elect of the AAMC Council of Deans Administrative Board from November 2026 through November 2028, chair from November 2028 through November 2030, and immediate past chair from November 2030 through November 2032.
"I am deeply honored to be selected by my peers to serve on the AAMC Council of Deans Administrative Board," Dr. Tyndall said. "This role provides an important opportunity to help shape conversations about the future of medical education and health care while representing WMed and our mission at the national level. It is a privilege to contribute to this important work alongside outstanding colleagues from across the country."
Russ Kavalhuna, president of Western Michigan University and chair of the WMed Board of Directors, said the election recognizes Dr. Tyndall's leadership and his growing influence within academic medicine.
"Dr. Tyndall's election to the AAMC Council of Deans Administrative Board is a reflection of the respect he has earned as a thoughtful leader and trusted voice in academic medicine," Kavalhuna said. "As dean of WMed, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to innovation, collaboration, and preparing the next generation of physicians. We are proud to see him represent the medical school while contributing to the national conversations that will shape the future of medical education and health care."
Bill Manns, president and chief executive officer of Bronson Healthcare Group, who chaired the national search committee that selected Dr. Tyndall as WMed's dean, said the election validates the qualities the committee recognized during the search process.
"When we selected Dr. Tyndall to lead WMed, we knew we were bringing to our community a leader with the experience, character, and vision to make a lasting impact," Manns said. "His election to the AAMC Council of Deans Administrative Board confirms what we recognized throughout the search process – that he is a respected leader whose insight will help advance medical education and strengthen the future of health care. We are fortunate to have him leading WMed and proud to call him a partner."
Kreg Gruber, chief executive officer of Beacon Health System, said Dr. Tyndall's ability to bridge academic medicine and clinical practice makes him well suited for the national leadership role.
"Dr. Tyndall brings a unique ability to connect academic medicine with the realities of patient care," Gruber said. "His election to the AAMC Council of Deans Administrative Board reflects the confidence his peers have in his leadership and vision. As a valued partner, we have seen firsthand his commitment to educating outstanding physicians, advancing innovation, and strengthening the collaboration between medical education and clinical care. His voice will be an asset to academic medicine nationwide."
As chair-elect, Dr. Tyndall will help guide the AAMC Council of Deans as it addresses the opportunities and challenges facing medical schools, including physician workforce development, innovation in medical education, biomedical research, and the evolving needs of patients and communities. His election places WMed among a distinguished group of academic medical institutions helping shape the future of academic medicine across North America.
Dr. Tyndall began his tenure at WMed in March 2026 following more than four years at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta where he served as dean and executive vice president for health services, and in his prior roles as Interim Dean and Associate Vice President at the University of Florida and UF Health.
He is a nationally recognized academic leader, educator, and physician executive whose career includes academic medicine, clinical practice, transformative contributions to medical education, health system leadership, and academic emergency medicine. His career path has included academic appointments at State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn School of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and New York University School of Medicine.
As an academic emergency physician, Dr. Tyndall is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and a Diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He has conducted research in traumatic brain injury, emergency department operations, and health disparities as well as arts in health projects supported by the National Endowment of the Arts and is a member of the Neuro Arts Academic Network.
In addition to his service with the AAMC Council of Deans, he is a past president of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Foundation and a past president of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians.