May 27, 2026
Media advisory: SIU chooses dean, provost for SIU School of Medicine
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Dr. Ian Martin, system chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine and interim senior associate dean for faculty affairs and leadership development at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), has been selected as the next dean and provost of the SIU School of Medicine.
Martin’s selection is pending approval by the SIU System Board of Trustees at a special meeting set for 11 a.m. Friday, May 29, in SIU Edwardsville’s Birger Hall Special Events Room, 30 N. Circle Drive, Edwardsville, Illinois. A news conference will follow.
Initial feedback received from multiple meetings with faculty, clinicians, community members, staff and students was used in developing the profile for the position. A diverse search committee of 17 members that included a mix of academic and administrative professionals, as well as student and clinical representation, led the comprehensive nationwide search. Issacson Miller, a leading executive search firm, was used to gather an extremely competitive pool of candidates.
Martin will replace Dr. Jerry Kruse, who is retiring after 43 years with the SIU School of Medicine, including serving as dean and provost since January 2016. Martin will start on Sept. 1.
At MCW, Martin is also emergency physician-in-chief in the Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin Health System. He previously served as professor and chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at West Virginia University School of Medicine, as well as emergency physician-in-chief for West Virginia University Health System.
Martin earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Duke University. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Medical College of Pennsylvania-Hahnemann School of Medicine (now Drexel University College of Medicine) and his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.
He trained in emergency medicine and general internal medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center and R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore — where he also served as chief resident.
“I am incredibly grateful to the dedicated groups and partners who engaged in this search. They reflected the deep and sincere care that so many have about the future of health care in our region and across Illinois,” SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin A. Lane said. “The SIU School of Medicine plays a vital role in strengthening communities through education, research, patient care, and service, while helping address critical workforce and health needs throughout our state. I am excited to see the School of Medicine continue to thrive under Dr. Martin’s leadership.”