Visit the News Hub

WashU Medicine celebrates its next dean

Bruce D. Levy, MD, inspires with vision, experience and warmth

by Kristina Sauerwein•March 30, 2026

Carol Green/WashU Medicine

Bruce D. Levy, MD, talks with faculty, trainees, staff and supporters during a reception March 26, 2026, to celebrate his appointment as the executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean at WashU Medicine. He starts July 1.

Standing ovations, an outpouring of support and an auditorium packed with brilliant minds and big hearts welcomed Bruce D. Levy, MD, to WashU Medicine as the next executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and the George and Carol Bauer Dean of WashU Medicine. A St. Louis native, he begins his new role July 1.

For more than 35 years at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Levy has distinguished himself as a visionary leader; a compassionate, pioneering physician-scientist; and a team builder.

At a March 26 celebration on the Medical Campus, hundreds of WashU Medicine faculty, staff, students and trainees gathered to welcome Levy and express gratitude to David H. Perlmutter, MD, for a decade of exceptional leadership as the executive vice chancellor for medical affairs, the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor and the George and Carol Bauer Dean.

Carol Green/WashU Medicine

From left, Victoria J. Fraser, MD, the Adolphus Busch Professor and head of the Department of Medicine; John A. Olson Jr., MD, PhD, the William K. Bixby Professor and head of the Department of Surgery; and Regis O’Keefe, MD, PhD, the Fred C. Reynolds Professor and head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, attend the reception March 26, 2026, to welcome Bruce D. Levy, MD, as the incoming executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of WashU Medicine.

In opening remarks, Chancellor Andrew D. Martin said Levy is uniquely positioned to build on WashU Medicine’s strengths: “WashU remains strong because we have tremendous momentum … and in Bruce, we have found someone who can take up the mantle with the experience, vision and personal connection to this place to carry it forward.”

That connection runs deep. Levy grew up in Clayton, in a neighborhood near the WashU campus, and both his parents are WashU alumni. His earliest mentors were WashU Medicine researchers who inspired him to become a physician-scientist.

Perlmutter praised both the institution and his successor, calling WashU Medicine’s department heads, deans, scientists, clinicians and educational leaders “the very best in academic medicine.”

Carol Green/WashU Medicine

David H. Perlmutter, MD, who is concluding his role as executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean at WashU Medicine, welcomed his successor with enthusiasm during a reception March 26, 2026, for Bruce D. Levy, MD. Levy’s appointment begins July 1.

He described Levy as “brilliant and humble” and a leader prepared to build on WashU Medicine’s strong foundation.

“I know that he will see the beautiful symphony we’ve assembled — of world-class scientists; brilliant, dedicated clinicians; talented staff; and a medical education program that has become a model for the rest of the country — and serve as a conductor for the beautiful music it will continue to produce,” Perlmutter added.

During the celebration, Levy conveyed excitement about his new role. “It is a truly special day, one I will not forget,” he said. With humble enthusiasm, he thanked Martin; Perlmutter; Andrew M. Bursky, chair of WashU’s Board of Trustees; Robert W. Cannon, president of BJC Health’s East Region; and the entire WashU Medicine community.

“WashU fosters an incredibly collaborative and collegial academic community,” Levy said. “I have heard that echoed by many others. Working together collaboratively to support each other, whether in education, research or clinical care, will allow us to continue to achieve at the highest level, and to be our best selves in delivering exceptional clinical care, discovering life-changing breakthroughs and inspiring the next generation of scholars.”

Levy also noted that he has been watching from Boston over the decades as WashU Medicine has continued to grow and excel while remaining a truly special place for patients, trainees, clinicians and investigators.

But as someone coming from outside WashU Medicine, he said he wanted to learn from faculty, staff, students and trainees “how to make one of the best medical schools even better.”

With that, he launched a “listening tour,” inviting members of the WashU Medicine community to email him at welcomedeanlevy@wustl.edu. He asked for two messages: one with the subject line “For Action,” outlining a top priority, and another with the subject line “For Awareness,” sharing what makes the community of students, scholars and healers special.

At a reception afterward, numerous attendees lined up to meet Levy. For his part, he did more than shake hands. Levy lingered well past his scheduled leave time, engaging each person in conversation. And he was met with warm embraces and heartfelt gratitude that spoke to the admiration and connection he inspired.

Carol Green/WashU Medicine

Bruce D. Levy, MD, beams while listening as leaders and supporters welcome him as the executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of WashU Medicine during a reception on March 26, 2026. Levy starts his new role on July 1.

Carol Green/WashU Medicine

Bruce D. Levy, MD, the incoming executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of WashU Medicine, meets department heads and other leaders at WashU Medicine during a reception March 26, 2026. Here, he talks with Pamela K. Woodard, MD, head of the Department of Radiology, director of Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR) and the Elizabeth E. Mallinckrodt Professor of Radiology.