In the interest of responsible succession planning, Southeast Health and the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) announced today that Craig J. Lenz, DO, dean and senior vice president of the medical college, will transition to emeritus status after serving nearly nine years in his current capacity.

Dr. Lenz, the founding dean of the college, assisted the Houston County Health Care Authority in realizing its vision of developing a medical school to address the shortage of primary care physicians in southeast Alabama. Under Dr. Lenz’s leadership, the college was established, constructed and celebrated its historic opening on July 29, 2013. ACOM’s inaugural class began on August 5, 2013 and graduated in May of 2017.

After a lengthy and rigorous accreditation process conducted by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), ACOM was granted full accreditation on April 6, 2017. This June, ACOM will graduate its third class with historic averages for residency placement of more than 99 percent during the three year period.

The leadership transition will occur on June 3, following the graduation of the 2019 ACOM class. Dr. Lenz will continue to have a role with the organization and represent ACOM externally as dean emeritus.

Southeast Health’s James C. Jones, DO, FACEP, will serve in an interim role while a national search for a successor is conducted by ACOM’s president and board of trustees. During this time, Dr. Jones will have operational oversight of the college.

Dr. Jones is currently Southeast Health’s director of Medical Education and medical director of Emergency Services. He was an inaugural member of the ACOM board and has been involved with the organization since its inception in 2010.

Dr. Jones is a 1983 graduate of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNT-HSC). He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at LSU-Charity Hospital in New Orleans, where he served as chief resident. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine and has been a practicing emergency physician since 1987. As director of Medical Education since 2010, Jones has spearheaded the development of residency training programs, as well as medical student education at Southeast Health.