MSM Welcomes Drs. Fas, Romano, and Royal
Norberto Fas, M.D. Named Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at the Veterans Affairs for Morehouse School of Medicine
ATLANTA – July 2, 2018 – Norberto Fas, M.D., joined Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) as Associate Dean for Clinical Services at the Veterans Affairs on July 1. He brings to MSM extensive experience in medicine and health care administration. Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Inpatient for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Decatur, Georgia where he was recently deployed to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. In this new role, Dr. Fas will provide leadership, oversight, and management for MSM within the Veterans Affairs Health System and ensure effective health care to our veterans.
“Dr. Fas’ comprehensive experience both in medicine and U.S. Veterans Affairs is a welcomed addition to our team,” explains Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, president and dean of Morehouse School of Medicine. “His commitment to communities, including veterans, is much like the MSM mission, and we look forward to his leadership in optimizing our Veterans Affairs programs."
Since 2011, Dr. Fas has served as an adjunct professor of preventive medicine at MSM. He also worked as an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine. The Consumer’s Council of America has named him one of America’s Top Physicians in 2003, 2006, and 2008.
Dr. Fas earned his medical degree from University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine and a Master in Business Administration from Auburn University.
Norberto Fas, M.D.
Michael J. Romano, M.D. Named Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at Morehouse School of Medicine
ATLANTA – July 2, 2018 – Michael J. Romano, M.D., MBA, joined Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) as Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at Morehouse Healthcare (MHC) on July 1. He brings to MSM extensive experience in medicine and health care administration. Most recently, he served as the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, Texas. In his new role, he will collaborate with hospital partners, the Veterans Administration, and MSM leaders to address current and future needs at MSM the MHC ambulatory site.
“Dr. Romano is an accomplished clinician and health care administrator,” said Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, president and dean of Morehouse School of Medicine. “We know his many years of clinical and administrative experience – along with his commitment to high-quality, comprehensive care – will make him an invaluable partner and leader in our organization.”
Dr. Romano has worked in a variety of practice settings including military medicine, private practice and traditional academic positions, including medical director positions in several pediatric intensive care units, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics Naval Hospital Okinawa, and division head of pediatric critical care in the Department of Pediatrics at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV.
Dr. Romano did his undergraduate work at the University of Dallas, earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center and a Master of Business Administration from West Virginia University. His internship and residency in pediatrics were performed at the Naval Regional Medical Center, San Diego, after which he served three years at the Naval Hospital, Okinawa, Japan. Upon completion of his active duty naval service, he completed a fellowship in Pediatric Critical Care at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Michael Romano, M.D.
Walter Royal, M.D. Named Director of Neuroscience Institute, Head of Neurobiology Department at Morehouse School of Medicine
ATLANTA – July 2, 2018 – Accomplished neurologist Walter Royal, M.D. joined Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) as the new Director of the Neuroscience Institute, as well as the head of the neurobiology department on July 1, 2018. MSM’s prestigious Neuroscience Institute was established in 1995 to create a supportive and challenging environment for the investigation and teaching of the functional organization of the nervous system. The institute is comprised of faculty members from the departments of neurobiology, pharmacology and toxicology, and medicine.
"Dr. Royal is a remarkably prolific and effective scholar of neuroscience, as well as a recognized leader in practice," said MSM President and Dean Valerie Montgomery Rice, M.D. "His experience, coupled with his strong leadership skills, will serve MSM well as we continue to advance global health equity."
Under Dr. Royal’s leadership, the institute will continue to support research programs in circadian rhythms and sleep disorders and neuroprotection, neurorepair and stroke, while also leading the expansion of the institute’s initiatives across multiple MSM departments, as well other institutions.
Dr. Royal comes to MSM from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md, where he served as a professor of neurology, anatomy, and neurobiology. He is returning to the Atlanta-based medical school where he served as an associate professor of medicine in anatomy and neurobiology from 2000 until 2005.
In addition to his duties at the University of Maryland, Dr. Royal was also a staff neurologist at the Baltimore Veterans Administration Hospital, where he provided coverage for the outpatient multiple sclerosis clinic.
A graduate of Harvard University and Dartmouth Medical School, Dr. Royal was twice named to the list of The Best Doctors in America. Black Enterprise Magazine also named him one of America’s Leading Doctors in 2008.
Walter Royal, M.D.
About Morehouse School of Medicine
Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine is among the nation's leading educators
of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health professionals.
In 2011, MSM was recognized by Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation’s No. 1 medical
school in fulfilling a social mission.
MSM faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care. Morehouse School of Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral and master's degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, please visit www.msm.edu or call 404-752-1500.
About Morehouse Healthcare
Morehouse Healthcare is one of the largest physician groups in Georgia, comprised of more than 150 practicing physicians and one of the state’s premier primary care and multi-specialty medical practices. All physicians are full-time clinical faculty at Morehouse School of Medicine with residents and medical students as an extension, with a focus on providing quality medical care to Atlanta's multi-cultural community. In 2018, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced that Morehouse Healthcare received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term participative relationships. To learn more or make an appointment please visit morehousehealthcare.com.