Helen Boucher, M.D., ‘86, chair of the College of the Holy Cross board of trustees, has been named permanent dean of the Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) and chief academic officer (CAO) for Tufts Medicine, the university announced today.
Dr. Boucher had been serving as dean ad interim for TUSM and CAO for Tufts Medicine since July 2021, when the dual role was established. She becomes the first woman to serve as the dean of TUSM in its 129-year history. On July 1, 2022, Dr. Boucher became the first woman chair of the Board of Trustees in Holy Cross history. She has been a member of the College’s Board of Trustees since 2014, serving as vice chair in 2021.
“We join Tufts University and Tufts Medicine in congratulating Dr. Helen Boucher ‘86 on being named to this historic role,” said Holy Cross President Vincent D. Rougeau. “In July, Helen became the first woman to lead the College’s Board of Trustees since our founding in 1843, just as today she is the first woman to serve as dean of Tufts University School of Medicine in its long history. While Helen’s academic, research and leadership qualifications are well known internationally, at Holy Cross we are most proud of her dedicated service to others in reflection of a Jesuit mission that she has embraced throughout her life.”
After earning a degree in English at Holy Cross, Dr. Boucher earned a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. She is internationally known for her research on infections in immunocompromised patients and infections by S. aureus, one of the most dangerous of the staph bacteria, for which she has investigated new anti-infective agents.
Related coverage:
- A Conversation with Helen Boucher, New Dean of Tufts School of Medicine and Chief Academic Officer of Tufts Medicine
- Helen Boucher Appointed Dean of the School of Medicine
- Helen W. Boucher ’86 Is First Woman Elected Chair of the Holy Cross Board of Trustees
- Helen Boucher, M.D., ‘86: 2021 Sanctae Crucis Award Recipient
