By Melissa Ludwig - Express-News

William Henrich, dean of the medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has been named interim president of the health science center upon the departure of Francisco Cigarroa, who was appointed chancellor of the UT System last week.
Henrich will start Feb. 2, when Cigarroa leaves for his new job in Austin. He will serve as interim while a search committee looks for a long-term successor for Cigarroa.

“Bill Henrich's familiarity with the health science center and his experienced leadership will help ensure a smooth transition at the institution as the System searches for the next leader of this outstanding academic health center,” said Kenneth Shine, interim chancellor for the UT System.

Henrich was chair of the medical school at the University of Maryland in Baltimore before coming to UTHSC in 2006. Previously, he held several positions at the UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, including professor of internal medicine, and was associate chief of staff for research and development at the VA Medical Center in Dallas.

A respected scientist, Henrich studies kidney disease, with expertise in dialysis therapy and blood pressure regulation. He is the editor of a popular dialysis textbook and has authored some 280 scientific contributions. Henrich has also received numerous teaching awards by fellows, residents and students.

Henrich earned his bachelor's degree at Columbia University and his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Oregon Medical School and a fellowship in nephrology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.