Dr. Holden Named Senior Associate Dean

National diversity innovator Lynne M. Holden, M.D., a member of Einstein’s faculty since 1996, has been named senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion. Dr. Holden assumed her new post in October 2022. 

A professor of emergency medicine (EM) at Einstein and an attending physician at Montefiore, Dr. Holden has worked extensively with medical students, residents, and faculty. In recognition of her teaching excellence, she was elected to the Leo M. Davidoff Society, which honors those who have made significant contributions to the education of Einstein medical students. She has served as a co-chair of the admissions committee, taught in the Introduction to Clinical Medicine course, and held the position of associate residency director/site director at Montefiore. She continues to serve on the EM residency admissions committee.

As vice chair for diversity, equity, and inclusion for the department of emergency medicine, Dr. Holden spearheaded the development of the Social EM Program, which fosters activities that expose residents to the social determinants of health in the Bronx and empowers them to create empathetic solutions through research and community service. Since 2006, she has directed the Emergency Department Clinical Exposure and Mentoring Program, which has provided educational and experiential learning through volunteering and shadowing for 1,800 New York City undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students.

Dr. Holden is co-founder and president of Mentoring in Medicine, Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing students to become healthcare and science professionals. She is on the board of directors of the American Board of Emergency Medicine and serves on several national committees that address workforce diversity in medicine, including the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Action Collaborative for Black Men in Medicine and its Pathways Program advisory group.

New Assistant Dean for Diversity Enhancement

Reginald Leon Hayes, M.Div., has been named Einstein’s new assistant dean for diversity enhancement. In this role, Mr. Hayes will focus on promoting diversity, equity, and engagement for current and prospective medical students and those in Einstein’s pathway programs. Mr. Hayes began his new role in late January.

Mr. Hayes’ responsibilities will include bolstering Einstein’s pathway program consortium, recruiting diverse medical students, and creating an inclusive environment at Einstein.

“It is an honor both to be back in the Bronx and to join the Einstein community,” said Mr. Hayes, who previously lived and served in a church in the Bronx and participated in a community outreach program in the borough.

Mr. Hayes worked most recently at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), in Washington, D.C., as an associate program officer for the Roundtable on Black Men and Black Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine. 

Before joining the roundtable, he worked as an implementation partner for the United States Agency for International Development’s Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research program, focusing on cervical cancer and mortality rates for women. 

Mr. Hayes also served as a research analyst for diversity in clinical trials at the National Cancer Institute, where he studied methods to combat medical and science mistrust among historically disadvantaged populations and increase diversity in clinical trials.

A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Hayes has also worked as a biology and environmental science teacher. A classically trained tenor, Mr. Hayes has performed in many operatic roles.

He earned his bachelor’s degrees from Shaw University and Nyack College, and a master’s in divinity from the Alliance Theological Seminary. In May, he will receive a master’s in business administration from Western Governors University