Jonathan A. Epstein named head of Perelman School of Medicine and Penn Health System

Jonathan A. Epstein has been named executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania for the health system and dean of the Perelman School of Medicine, effective March 1 and subject to Board of Trustees approval. The announcement was made by Interim President J. Larry Jameson.

“Dr. Epstein is an eminent physician-scientist, a visionary leader, and a dedicated institutional citizen who has played an integral role in shaping Penn Medicine’s excellence across research, education, and patient care,” Jameson says.

This appointment follows a comprehensive selection process in which Epstein emerged as the clear choice at a pivotal moment to lead Penn Medicine into the future. His institutional knowledge, combined with his ability to foster collaboration and drive innovation, will ensure that Penn Medicine continues to lead in academic medicine.

“In selecting a new EVP/dean, I sought an exceptional leader with unwavering academic integrity, a passion for advancing medicine and science, and a commitment to the highest standards of patient care and medical education,” Jameson says. “Above all, I sought someone with an ambitious vision for Penn Medicine’s future and immense respect for its culture—someone who will build on our tradition of excellence while forging new opportunities for interdisciplinary research, clinical innovation, and global impact.”

Epstein has been a key leader at Penn Medicine for more than two decades and served for many years as executive vice dean and chief scientific officer, where he advanced research initiatives, fostered collaboration across departments, and strengthened Penn Medicine’s leadership in scientific discovery. He has also been a dedicated mentor to the next generation of physician-scientists, cultivating talent and driving progress in biomedical research and clinical innovation.

Since assuming the role of interim EVP and interim dean in December 2023, Epstein has led with conviction, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to faculty, students, staff, and patients. The clinical, research, and educational missions have continued to flourish, ensuring that Penn Medicine remains at the forefront of medical innovation while expanding access to world-class care.

His own research, including pioneering work in mRNA-based therapeutics and cardiovascular regenerative medicine, has earned international recognition and shaped the future of patient care. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, Epstein completed his residency and fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital before joining Penn in 1996. He is a globally recognized figure in cardiovascular biology and regenerative medicine, with more than 37,000 citations to his name. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Society for Clinical Investigation, for which he previously served as president.

As EVP/dean, Epstein will oversee the entirety of the Penn Medicine enterprise: six hospitals, an expansive outpatient network, the nation’s oldest medical school, and a $12 billion academic health system with more than 50,000 faculty, clinicians, and staff.

“Leading Penn Medicine at such a critical time in the evolution of medicine and health care is a profound privilege,” Epstein says. “Penn is a place where scientific discovery, patient care, and education are seamlessly integrated, creating an environment of unparalleled excellence. It is the honor of my life to take on this role and to work alongside our extraordinary faculty, students, trainees, and staff to advance Penn Medicine’s mission and to shape the future of health and medicine.”