Interim dean of USC Keck seeks to improve dialogue

One of the first things that stands out about Laura Mosqueda’s office its sheer size. Large glass windows offer a wide view of the Health Sciences Campus and downtown Los Angeles, and a large conference table sits at the end of the spacious, rectangular room.

As the interim dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Mosqueda occupies a position that has been associated with troubling events.

However, her recent appointment on Oct. 6 signifies a new future for the school, as she seeks to stimulate open discussions about how Keck can recover and move forward during her time as interim dean.

“One of our strengths here is just this superb education that our students get because they get exposed to a huge variety of people,” Mosqueda said. “We have a diverse faculty, and we also have both the county hospital and other kinds of opportunities for our students so that they get exposed to a diverse group of patients to care for.”

Prior to her appointment, Keck students expressed concern on how the school should move forward and prevent future issues with faculty. Mosqueda is aware that improvements must be made to address these worries.

“I really admire what I’ve heard from the students here,” Mosqueda said. “They’ve had appropriate concerns and have been, for the most part, very respectful and thoughtful in terms of the questions they’re asking. And that’s what we want, right? That’s those are the kinds of physicians that we want out there.”

When it comes to moving forward and refocusing on Keck’s academic obligations, Mosqueda stresses the importance of open dialogue across the student body and faculty.

“I’d like to get advice from students and faculty and staff on how we can have more direct dialogues with each other,” she said.

During the short time Mosqueda has served as interim dean, she has become the faculty advisor for the USC Student-Run Clinic and frequents trips with students to Skid Row and women’s shelters to provide urgent care.

“There are three principles that I use to kind of guide myself,” Mosqueda said. “One of them is to do my best. The second is to do the right things for the right reasons. And the third is to keep focused on what’s important. And I think if we do all of those things, we’re in great shape. I’m really excited and optimistic about where we’re going and how we’re getting there.”