Following a rigorous national search, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) has announced that Henrike C. Besche, PhD, will join the school as Chair of Biomedical Science. She will begin her role on July 1.
In this role, Dr. Besche will lead the Biomedical Science faculty and oversee biomedical science education across the curriculum. Working in close partnership with KPSOM’s education leadership and the departments of Clinical Science and Health Systems Science, she will further refine and advance how scientific foundations are integrated to support clinical reasoning and decision making.
“Dr. Besche brings deep experience in medical education and curriculum design, along with a clear understanding of how biomedical science supports clinical reasoning,” said John L. Dalrymple, MD, Dean and CEO of KPSOM. “Her leadership will further strengthen how we connect scientific foundations across the curriculum.”
Dr. Besche brings more than a decade of leadership experience in medical education, curriculum innovation, instructional design, faculty development, and educational quality improvement. She joins KPSOM from the Harvard MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, where she most recently served as Director of Education within MIT’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Science and held academic appointments at both MIT and Harvard Medical School.
Throughout her career, Dr. Besche has helped design, implement, and continuously improve large scale, case based learning experiences that promote student engagement, effective teamwork, and deep learning. Her work includes a central leadership role in the development and refinement of Harvard Medical School’s Case Based Collaborative Learning model. As part of the leadership team that created and continuously evolved the Foundations course, she co developed numerous case based learning materials and helped shape the instructional approach now used across the preclinical curriculum. Her efforts also included faculty development to strengthen facilitation and teaching practice, as well as the application of continuous improvement methods to curriculum design and the learning environment.
Dr. Besche also brings extensive experience strengthening interdisciplinary science education and supporting institutions as they evolve how biomedical science is taught across the full arc of medical training. At Harvard Medical School, she held senior education leadership roles focused on curriculum integration and educational quality improvement and co led the development of the Advanced Integrated Science Courses, a signature curriculum that redefined post preclinical science education by preparing learners to engage critically at the intersection of science and medicine.
Her scholarship reflects a sustained focus on educational excellence and innovation. Dr. Besche has published on collaborative learning, instructional design, assessment, self regulated learning, and the learning environment. She has also contributed to education focused initiatives involving emerging technologies, including the thoughtful application of artificial intelligence in education.
As Chair, Dr. Besche will recruit, mentor, and champion the career development of Department of Biomedical Science faculty while working in close collaboration with the Office of Medical Education and partners across the school to monitor and strengthen teaching and learning using clear metrics and evidence informed best practices. She will also support student research and scholarship, advance faculty growth, and contribute to the continued implementation of KPSOM’s strategic priorities, including its commitment to innovation, inclusive excellence, and well being.
Dr. Besche succeeds Stephen Garrett, PhD, who served as Interim Chair of Biomedical Science since early 2025. Dr. Garrett stepped into the role following the departure of José M. Barral Sanchez, MD, PhD, who served as the department’s founding director from 2020 to 2025.
Dr. Besche’s appointment comes at a meaningful moment for KPSOM as the school celebrates the graduating Class of 2026, prepares to welcome its next incoming class, and builds momentum around its 2026–2030 strategic plan. Her leadership strengthens KPSOM as the school enters its next chapter.
