Barbara Atkinson, MD, dean of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, will remain in her position until at least next summer, according to the Las Vegas Sun.
Dr. Atkinson signed a one-year contract extension allowing her to remain as head of the medical school until summer 2019. The UNLV Foundation board announced the extension May 2, which is scheduled to take effect July 1 and may potentially be renewed.
Dr. Atkinson's future at the institution has been in question during recent weeks after UNLV President Len Jessup, PhD, announced he was leaving the university last month. The two leaders were closely aligned, the Las Vegas Sun reports.
Both leaders were at the center of controversy earlier this year after a prominent university donor pulled its $14 million donation to the medical school in March.
The Engelstad Foundation agreed to donate $14 million in funds to the school under the provision Drs. Jessup and Atkinson remain as leaders at the institution. Dr. Jessup's critics contended the Engelstad Foundation's requirement constituted an attempt by Dr. Jessup to benefit himself and gain leverage for a contract extension or new employment agreement, the report states. However, the foundation claimed the contingency was put into place due to distrust in the stewardship of the Nevada System of Higher Education and the university's board of regents.
The organization ultimately pulled its funding amid turmoil surrounding Dr. Jessup's position at the university. Shortly after, Dr. Jessup announced his decision to leave the institution and become president of Claremont (Calif.) Graduate University, effective July 1.
Dr. Atkinson is currently in the last year of her contract. She was hired as planning dean of the medical school in 2014 and was named dean one year later.