Stanford University's School of Medicine has picked the dean of the medical school at case Western Reserve University in Cleveland to become the chairman of the Department of Medicine, the school's largest department. Dr. Ralph I. Horwitz will assume his new Stanford position Dec. 1.

Horwitz, 59, expanded the scope and budget of Case Western's school and formerly taught at Yale University.

At Stanford, Horwitz will lead a department with about 150 faculty members in 14 divisions and programs.

"He has the knowledge, skills, experience, vision and commitment to help grow an outstanding department," said Dr. Philip Pizzo, dean of Stanford's School of Medicine. "His concern for the care of patients and understanding of the central importance of internal medicine in an academic medical center offer true promise for success."

— Don Kazak