

Katherine Emmett Browder has been named the new chief of staff and assistant dean for Strategic Initiatives at the UC Riverside School of Medicine. Her appointment begins on January 2, 2025.
Browder comes to UC Riverside from UC San Diego, where since 2021 she has served as the assistant dean and executive officer for the School of Biological Sciences. She served as a member of the dean’s executive management team, leading the school’s shared service units, long-range resource planning, as well as new strategic program development.
"I am deeply honored and excited to serve as the chief of staff and assistant dean of Strategic Initiatives, as we continue to expand the SOM’s impact across the region. I look forward to working alongside our talented leaders, faculty and staff to improve the health of Inland Southern California and develop a diverse, skilled workforce of physicians. Together we will create new programs and initiatives that serve as models of excellence throughout the state.”
“Katherine's impressive background demonstrates her exceptional ability to navigate complex organizational challenges and implement forward-thinking solutions. Her expertise in strategic planning, financial management, and fostering key partnerships will be instrumental in driving our mission forward,” said Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences and the Mark and Pam Rubin Dean Deborah Deas, MD, MPH. “I am thrilled to welcome her as our new chief of staff and assistant dean for Strategic Initiatives and am confident that her vision and leadership will continue to allow us to expand our impact on both the academic and healthcare fronts."
As the chief of staff and assistant dean at the UCR School of Medicine, Emmett will advise senior leadership on matters of school wide importance, set priorities and execute strategy for internal projects and external community engagement in alignment with medical school goals, and facilitate coordination among senior leadership to create and achieve the school’s strategic plan. She will oversee the eight-person Strategic Initiatives unit.
Emmett served as senior director of research finance and administration at Scripps Health from 2019 to 2021, after a promotion from a director of research operations. Her duties included developing and implementing strategic plans for building infrastructure within administration, finance, clinical research revenue, clinical research operations, and regulatory to support research programs across the health system.
Prior to joining Scripps Health, Emmett spent over 13 years at the Oregon Health and Science University, eventually serving as a director of research administration, and a senior administrative mentor within the School of Medicine.
She earned an MS in healthcare management from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon, and a master's certificate in management of science and technology. She also holds an MA in religious studies from the University of Georgia.