Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine names Elizabeth Zmuda, D.O., as associate dean for health systems and operations

The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine has announced the appointment of Elizabeth Zmuda, D.O., as associate dean for health systems and operations, a newly created leadership role at the college that will be based on the Dublin campus.

A 2005 graduate of the Heritage College, Zmuda returns to Ohio University with a distinguished record of leadership in osteopathic medical education, graduate medical education and health system collaboration. In her new role, she will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the college’s clinical education enterprise, supporting more than 1,000 medical students across Ohio and strengthening partnerships with clinical training sites statewide.

“Dr. Zmuda brings a rare combination of osteopathic identity, operational expertise and national leadership in medical education,” said Bill Burke, D.O., dean of the Dublin campus. “Her experience and vision will be instrumental as we continue to expand clinical training capacity and ensure exceptional educational experiences for our students.”

Zmuda currently serves as director of medical education at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital, where she oversees 11 residency and fellowship programs accredited through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Ten of those programs include osteopathic recognition. She supports nearly 200 learners and faculty across multiple sites. In her tenure, Doctors Hospital has continued to be recognized as a national leader in osteopathic education, becoming the second-largest osteopathic teaching institution in the United States.

She has worked to expand graduate medical education to meet clinical workforce needs, established the Doctors Community Care Clinic to improve access to quality care and connection to resources, promoted osteopathic medicine in GME, pushed for greater health equity, and led system-wide initiatives across various fields. Her achievements have been recognized nationally, including receiving the National Innovation Award from the Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers (AIAMC).

Zmuda has long-standing ties to the Heritage College. In addition to being an alumna, she previously served as assistant professor and clinical instructor in the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine department. Nationally, she serves on the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine UME–GME task force, the AIAMC board of directors and multiple advisory councils focused on social and moral determinants of health, child health and wellness.

In her role as associate dean for health systems and operations, Zmuda will oversee statewide undergraduate medical education clinical operations, with an emphasis on Years 3 and 4 clinical rotations while ensuring compliance with Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) standards. She will lead clinical partner management, preceptor recruitment and retention, and the development of sustainable clinical capacity to support the Heritage College’s growing educational mission.

“My professional identity and leadership are deeply rooted in osteopathic principles and practices,” said Zmuda. “It is an honor to return to the institution that shaped my career and to serve alongside faculty, staff, students and clinical partners in advancing osteopathic medical education and improving access to high-quality, compassionate care.”

Zmuda will begin her role at the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine on March 2.