Incoming Columbia University President Minouche Shafik Visits CUIMC
Columbia University incoming president Nemat “Minouche” Shafik, PhD, visited Columbia University Irving Medical Center on Thursday, Jan. 19. Shafik will join Columbia as its 20th president July 1.
![Dean Katrina Armstrong with incoming Columbia president Minouche Shafik](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/2023-01/8oj7zuxy_web.jpg?itok=aVfyz7zN 200w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/2023-01/8oj7zuxy_web.jpg?itok=Vl3Sqtx_ 260w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/2023-01/8oj7zuxy_web.jpg?itok=Msw9wqew 320w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/2023-01/8oj7zuxy_web.jpg?itok=1og6e6vI 400w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/2023-01/8oj7zuxy_web.jpg?itok=xMsvuicO 520w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/2023-01/8oj7zuxy_web.jpg?itok=ir0g-xhf 640w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/2023-01/8oj7zuxy_web.jpg?itok=A7neU-xy 800w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/2023-01/8oj7zuxy_web.jpg?itok=Mp8FHRFL 1040w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/2023-01/8oj7zuxy_web.jpg?itok=jshtgr3b 1280w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/images/2023-01/8oj7zuxy_web.jpg?itok=bSQ52RVY 1600w)
Dean Katrina Armstrong with incoming Columbia president Minouche Shafik. Photo by Eileen Barroso / Columbia University.
In remarks shared on Wednesday, Jan. 19, Shafik highlighted the role that all members of the Columbia community play in advancing the institution’s mission.
“I’m honored to be the next president of Columbia University,” Shafik said. “Whether it’s tackling challenges like climate change or a global public health crisis, Columbia thrives as a center for ideas and advancement because it is a rich, diverse community where everyone has something to contribute.”
Shafik’s guided tour of the medical center, led by Katrina Armstrong, MD, chief executive officer of CUIMC, introduced the incoming university president to the medical center, each of the schools, and community initiatives underway across the campus. At a lunchtime reception that kicked off the tour, Armstrong and Shafik met with medical center deans and vice deans and VP&S department chairs and center directors.
![Minouche Shafik with CUIMC deans, from left, Christian S. Stohler (College of Dental Medicine), Katrina Armstrong (VP&S), Linda P. Fried (Mailman), and Lorraine Frazier (School of Nursing).](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/2023-01/cjague9a_web.jpg?itok=DW9RJdlt 200w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/2023-01/cjague9a_web.jpg?itok=5oXxMkYn 260w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/2023-01/cjague9a_web.jpg?itok=vU9rA5-A 320w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/2023-01/cjague9a_web.jpg?itok=gXvbPpzz 400w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/2023-01/cjague9a_web.jpg?itok=DM4cO2fJ 520w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/2023-01/cjague9a_web.jpg?itok=-T960IOg 640w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/2023-01/cjague9a_web.jpg?itok=NQt1_tps 800w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/2023-01/cjague9a_web.jpg?itok=nNvYWxP4 1040w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/2023-01/cjague9a_web.jpg?itok=qRyO-YKk 1280w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/images/2023-01/cjague9a_web.jpg?itok=8f3NKDJO 1600w)
Minouche Shafik with CUIMC deans, from left, Christian S. Stohler (College of Dental Medicine), Katrina Armstrong (VP&S), Linda P. Fried (Mailman), and Lorraine Frazier (School of Nursing). Photo by Eileen Barroso / Columbia University.
Following the reception, Shafik visited the School of Nursing, where Kellie Bryant, DNP, assistant dean of clinical affairs and simulation, provided a tour of the state-of-the-art Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation Center.
![Minouche Shafik visited the Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation Center in the Columbia School of Nursing.](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_6985-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=6p3sxyym 200w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_6985-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=t9SBJlho 260w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_6985-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=7cV2y5iI 320w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_6985-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=ob8vEr-I 400w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_6985-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=7ya-H-sy 520w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_6985-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=JojGww1M 640w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_6985-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=3HuyaA_J 800w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_6985-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=ReTP2AHh 1040w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_6985-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=NTpNPQCH 1280w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_6985-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=mvzRTGPy 1600w)
Minouche Shafik visited the Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation Center in the Columbia School of Nursing. Photo by Eileen Barroso / Columbia University.
While visiting the Comprehensive HIV Program clinic with Magda Sobieszczyk, MD, chief of infectious diseases, Shafik met with leaders across the medical center who are building community partnerships in Washington Heights, Upper Manhattan, and the Bronx. Olajide Williams, MD, professor of neurology; Amy Herbert, DDS, assistant professor of dental medicine; Gary Miller, PhD, professor of environmental health sciences at Mailman; and Alwyn Cohall, MD, professor of sociomedical sciences, population and family health, and pediatrics, all spoke about the importance of building trust with the local community to improve health outcomes and conduct research to better serve the community through clinical care. In a visit to the lab of David Ho, MD, director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Shafik learned about CUIMC’s groundbreaking scientific contributions to COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
![From left: David Ho, incoming president Minouche Shafik, and Dean Katrina Armstrong](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_7534-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso_web.jpg?itok=6JGcWFLW 200w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_7534-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso_web.jpg?itok=e7UW8H54 260w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_7534-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso_web.jpg?itok=XUr47oaF 320w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_7534-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso_web.jpg?itok=mJQgV_w7 400w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_7534-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso_web.jpg?itok=UzyDikv- 520w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_7534-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso_web.jpg?itok=tFZ7xKMJ 640w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_7534-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso_web.jpg?itok=cBehq1df 800w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_7534-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso_web.jpg?itok=CNgP2U_D 1040w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_7534-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso_web.jpg?itok=QTjbtYi4 1280w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_7534-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso_web.jpg?itok=TBtVahx5 1600w)
From left: David Ho, incoming president Minouche Shafik, and Dean Katrina Armstrong. Photo by Eileen Barroso / Columbia University.
Armstrong expressed enthusiasm and optimism for the university under Shafik’s leadership.
“Everybody here at Columbia comes to work every day to give their time and talent to make a difference for the people they care for, to make new discoveries, to change our community, and support each other,” Armstrong said. “They come because they believe in their colleagues and they believe in this university and this medical center. With the right leadership, there is nothing we can’t do.”
![Minouche Shafik met with CUIMC students during her campus tour on Jan. 19.](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_8274-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=UigXNUcy 200w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_8274-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=BvpDtYGd 260w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_8274-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=XzE7Gihp 320w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_8274-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=Ea2MWkY5 400w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_8274-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=qPMLwGyy 520w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_8274-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=4XwM2gEA 640w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_8274-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=NS7Yqit4 800w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_8274-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=yGsnu-R9 1040w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_8274-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=Q3WjHSrN 1280w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/images/2023-01/minouche-shafik-cuimc-dsc_8274-2023-columbia-eileen-barroso.jpg?itok=p9i1mZoT 1600w)
Shafik met with CUIMC students during her campus tour on Jan. 19. Photo by Eileen Barroso / Columbia University.
Shafik will succeed Lee C. Bollinger, who has led the university since 2002. Shafik has led the London School of Economics and Political Science since 2017. Learn more about Columbia's next president.