Reflecting the importance of the partnership between the Keck School of Medicine of USC and Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center (LAC+USC), Glenn Ault has been appointed to the new position of associate dean for clinical administration (LAC+USC Medical Center).

Ault, an assistant professor, will represent the school in day-to-day operations with the hospital. He currently serves as medical director of the operating rooms and as chief of service for the division of colorectal surgery at LAC+USC. He also evaluates and treats patients at USC Norris Cancer Hospital. His new appointment took effect Oct. 1.

“This is an incredibly important new position for the Keck School,” said dean Carmen A. Puliafito, who made the appointment. “For more than 100 years, USC and the County of Los Angeles have worked together to offer quality medical care to the public. In this new position, Dr. Ault will be dedicated to fostering and strengthening this partnership that is so critical for all county residents.”

Ault will work in close collaboration with the chairs of the clinical departments, division chiefs and administrative staff at LAC+USC to ensure the clinical and academic missions of the medical school are realized. He will provide oversight of the contract between the County of Los Angeles and USC that covers the provision of clinical care, resident supervision and clinical research.

Ault will be responsible for ensuring that the Keck School meets its obligations under this agreement and for helping to resolve issues that may arise. The current contract was signed in 2008 and runs through 2013.

“Having started out as a resident at LAC+USC in 1994, I know firsthand how important this affiliation is to both the county and the Keck School,” Ault said. “It is mutually beneficial. USC doctors and residents provide high-quality care for patients of the County of Los Angeles, and the hospital provides an invaluable teaching opportunity for Keck School medical students and residents.”

Ault currently serves as medical director of the operating rooms and as chief of service for the division of colorectal surgery at LAC+USC. He also evaluates and treats patients at USC Norris Cancer Hospital.

“Dr. Ault has the knowledge and skills that will enable him to collaborate very effectively with both LAC+USC Medical Center officials and Keck School department chairs and division chiefs,” said Edward Crandall, chair of the Department of Medicine, Hastings Professor and holder of the Norris Chair of Medicine at the Keck School. “This collaboration is essential in order to ensure that clinical and teaching services provided under this partnership are of the highest quality and accomplished as smoothly and collegially as possible.”

The partnership between Los Angeles County and USC began in 1885, seven years after the original County Hospital opened with 100 beds and six staff members. LAC+USC is the largest single provider of health care in Los Angeles County. USC physicians provide patient care, lead clinical research and oversee the training of more than 1,000 medical residents and medical students at the medical center.

“Dr. Ault is a natural leader and an excellent choice to represent the Keck School on our campus,” said Pete Delgado, chief executive officer of the LAC+USC Healthcare Network. “He is a passionate advocate for patient care, and he genuinely cares for this hospital. I’m glad to welcome him to this new position.”

A native of Philadelphia, Ault earned his bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., his medical degree from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia and a master of science in education from USC. He has been an assistant professor in the Keck School division of colorectal surgery since 2004 and is currently program director of the colorectal surgery residency program.

“With the opening of the new county hospital facility last year, it brings potential to grow programs and capitalize on opportunities,” Ault said. “I am excited to begin work with all the clinical departments of the Keck School to grow and strengthen this relationship and to help build upon the success of the clinical enterprise there.”

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