Zafonte Returns to MU as New School of Medicine Executive Vice Dean

More than 30 years after completing his fellowship in research enrichment at the University of Missouri, Ross Zafonte, DO, is returning to mid-Missouri as the School of Medicine’s new executive vice dean.

In his role, Dr. Zafonte will oversee the development, supervision and assessment of the medical school’s 23 academic departments, and will be instrumental in driving faculty recruitment, appointment, retention, evaluation, promotion, professional development and recognition. He will also collaborate with MU Health Care leadership to align and achieve the School of Medicine’s shared goals, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

“It’s an exciting opportunity, and I’m ready for a new challenge,” said Zafonte. “I see this as an opportunity to do something different and influence a broader section of medicine. Dr. Barohn and President Choi are both compelling leaders, and I was attracted to their vision for serving the state of Missouri while elevating the entire university.”

A nationally and internationally recognized physician-scientist, Dr. Zafonte comes to MU from Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham, where he served as the president of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, and as the Earl P. and Ida S. Charlton Professor and chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Under Dr. Zafonte’s leadership, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital consistently achieved top rankings in U.S. News & World Report, reflecting the highest standards of clinical care and patient outcomes. Additionally, research funding tripled under his guidance, enabling Spaulding to become the only center nationally to host three National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research-model research centers.

Dr. Zafonte played a pivotal role in the establishment and leadership of the Mass General Brigham/Red Sox Foundation Home Base Program, dedicated to serving veterans with traumatic brain injuries and psychological health conditions. As the principal investigator of the landmark Football Players Health Study at Harvard, he has been at the forefront of research aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of athletes.

In his new role, Dr. Zafonte looks to implement his leadership philosophy to help strengthen relationships and the culture throughout the School of Medicine and MU Health Care.

“I like to listen and learn from others,” said Zafonte. “I want to see how we can make any scenario a true win-win scenario for all parties involved. One of the things I’m most interested in is determining how we can make individuals ‘sticky’ to the organization. One of the biggest challenges in health care in the U.S. and throughout the western world is making people feel a part of an organization. We want faculty and staff to stay with us. We want them to feel like they belong here. I want to help elevate our mission and make everyone feel valued.”

As Dr. Zafonte and School of Medicine leaders look to further develop the medical school as the premier and transformational academic health system for Missouri, he sees three specific areas where MU must excel – delivering the best quality of care to patients, raising the next generation of leaders, and growing research.

“We must strive to be the best in every aspect of patient care, as our patients are at the heart of everything we do,” said Zafonte. “In addition, we’re committed to fostering the next generation of leaders – medical students, residents, and fellows – who not only provide exceptional care but also make a meaningful impact on their communities. We have a responsibility to innovate for all Missourians, ensuring that our advancements in healthcare reach everyone. As we navigate the challenges facing the healthcare industry, it’s essential to prioritize patient quality, innovation and research, ensuring that our efforts are both effective and fiscally responsible.”

Dr. Zafonte received an honorary Master of Arts from Harvard University. He also achieved a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova/Southeastern University of Health Sciences, and Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia.

As an internationally recognized researcher, Dr. Zafonte has published more than 400 peer-reviewed journal articles, abstracts, and book chapters on traumatic brain injury, spasticity, and other neurological disorders. His textbook, Brain Injury Medicine, is regarded as the premier text and go-to clinical reference in the field of brain injury care.

Having completed his postdoctoral training and faculty role at MU in 1991, Dr. Zafonte is humbled and grateful for this full circle moment in his life. While the MU campus and the community has certainly changed in the 30-plus years since the last time he called mid-Missouri home, he’s eager to take on a new challenge.

For any individual, learning a new workplace and its respective environment can be a tall task. For Dr. Zafonte, he knows MU’s resources and talented faculty, staff and leadership already in place will put him in a great position to succeed.

“Having the School of Medicine, MU Health Care and all of our facilities on one campus is a huge advantage,” said Zafonte. “I want to see how we can better bring people together from each of those areas, around a common series of simple goals that everyone can understand. If we can collectively have the mindset of, ‘we all win, only if we all win’ then I think the possibilities of our future success are endless. Furthermore, we must focus on expanding both lifespan and healthspan, ensuring that our innovations not only extend life, but also enhance the quality of life for our patients and the communities we serve.”