Laura Mosqueda, MD, chair and professor of family medicine (clinical scholar) and associate dean of primary care, was announced as the interim dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC in an Oct. 6 email from Provost Michael Quick, PhD.

Mosqueda has served as chair of the Department of Family Medicine since 2014. She is the director of the federally funded National Center on Elder Abuse, as well as the principal investigator for a study examining the prevention of abuse in vulnerable older adults. She is a widely respected authority on geriatric and family medicine, the email stated.

“During this time of transition, Dr. Mosqueda will work closely with (USC President C. L. Max Nikias, PhD,) and me to support you as we strengthen and improve the culture at the Keck School,” Quick said in the email. “We know everyone will work with Dr. Mosqueda as she advances the priorities of the school.”

In a separate message to chairs and directors, Mosqueda encouraged Keck School leaders to reach out to her as the school prepares for upcoming events including recruitment, strategic planning and the accreditation visit from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

“With your help we will move forward with the major initiatives in a calm and reasonable way,” Mosqueda said in the memo. “I look forward to learning a lot during this process and to meeting each of you.”