The two-year interim dean of the medical school will takeover the permanent post, GW announced Monday.

Jeffrey Akman was tapped Monday to lead the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, as well as vice president for health affairs – a role that he also held during his interim leadership. The school launched an expedited search in November for a permanent dean.

“Dr. Akman has shown extraordinary leadership in overseeing the transformation of the medical center, guiding SMHS through a period of transition, and strengthening the school’s relationships with its clinical partners,” Unversity President Steven Knapp said in a release.

The medical school is the University’s wealthiest and most selective school. In Akman’s more than 25 years teaching there, he also served as chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Akman served as interim leader during the 2011 breakup of the GW Medical Center into three schools, and will focus on continued collaboration with the School of Public Health and Health Services and the School of Nursing. Akman said he would also continue to build on the school’s relationships with GW Hospital and GW Medical Faculty Associates.

“I look forward to working with the entire university community and our clinical partners in moving SMHS to a new level of greatness,” Akman, a two-time alumnus, said in the release.

Knapp ordered an expedited search to fill the position in November, and some professors said they hoped permanent leadership would ease the process of filling senior positions in the school’s administration.  Five of the school’s 23 departments are still headed by interim chairs.