The dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine, who also serves as chief executive officer of the UC Davis Health System, will step down from his dual post by June 2005, the university announced on Thursday.

Dr. Joseph Silva, who has been part of the University of California, Davis, system since 1982, intends to return to his position as a faculty member.

"I have been honored and privileged to serve the school and the health system," Silva said in a prepared statement. "Although our school is still relatively young ..., we have a tremendous record of achievement."

Silva is credited with fostering new research opportunities and helping to integrate the medical school and the UC Davis Medical Center.

"From my perspective, he's done exactly what was needed," said UC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef.

"It will be a significant loss for our institution not to have Joe Silva as dean," said William McGowan, chief financial officer at the medical center. "Under his leadership, the School of Medicine has grown into a nationally ranked institution."

Silva served for 14 years as chair of the UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine before taking his current post.

Vanderhoef said the university will hire a professional search firm to advise a recruitment committee that he will appoint.

"The pool of qualified candidates is not very big, and we will be in heavy competition," Vanderhoef said. He noted that at least 16 other top research universities also are looking for people to lead their medical schools and teaching hospitals.