RVU Welcomes Its Inaugural Provost: David Forstein, DO

After a long, nationwide search for RVU’s inaugural provost, David Forstein, DO, FACOOG, has officially accepted the role. In his first 90 days at RVU, Dr. Forstein looks forward to learning as much as he can about RVU and our three programs, as well as supporting and working closely with the academic leadership team to ensure an excellent and innovative curriculum for our students.

A profile in this newsletter might not be enough to detail all of Dr. Forstein’s many accomplishments. Before coming to RVU, he was the Dean and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Harlem Campus, where he worked on the development of new pipeline programs as well as strengthening the school’s relationship with the local community. He also oversaw educational programs from pre-clinical to clinical, student services, faculty research opportunities, and alumni affairs.

Dr. Forstein has also served in other notable roles, including as Director and Associate Professor of OB/GYN at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and as a Clerkship Director at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). He also held clinical faculty appointments at Clemson University School of Health Research, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, and more.

“The transformation to a leading health sciences University cannot be effectively achieved without a significant investment in leadership—leadership that has broad experience, national recognition, and alignment with RVU’s guiding principles and core values.” – Dr. Clinton E. Adams, President and CEO

A leader in the osteopathic medical world, Dr. Forstein is currently the Chair of the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and serves on the Board of Directors of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, where he is also a member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Committee Requirements. If that were not enough, he is also a widely published author, having worked on a number of research projects including a recent study funded by the National Institute of Health.

After graduating from PCOM in 1990, Dr. Forstein completed his residency in OB/GYN at the Hospital of PCOM and a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Pennsylvania Hospital. Board certified in both OBG/GYN and reproductive endocrinology and infertility, Dr. Forstein soon found his way to full-time academic medicine after realizing that teaching students and residents were often the best part of his day. “Working with students, faculty and staff, and helping to further the health profession field has made for a wonderful career so far.”

Dr. Forstein and his wife have three grown children: two in college and one who resides in New York. They also have two dogs: a 13-year-old lab/ chow mix and a 3-year-old English cream Golden Retriever.