About Dr. Tolar
Dr. Jakub Tolar began serving as president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine on June 1, 2026. He brings deep experience as a physician scientist and academic leader committed to advancing education, research, patient care and community impact.
Dr. Tolar served as dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School and vice president for Clinical Affairs, where he co-led the M Health Fairview clinical enterprise and guided major initiatives spanning clinical transformation, research growth and public health. An internationally recognized pediatric blood and marrow transplant physician scientist, he is known for pioneering work in cellular and gene based therapies for rare genetic disorders, including recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. He has been an NIH funded investigator for more than 20 years and has authored more than 250 peer reviewed publications.
Originally from the Czech Republic, Dr. Tolar earned his M.D. from Charles University in Prague and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Tolar enjoys educating and mentoring new physicians and is active in many professional societies. He is a strong advocate for cooperation and communication within the clinical and research communities. Outside of work, Dr. Tolar spends time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoys reading, listening to opera, kayaking and CrossFit training.
At Baylor College of Medicine, he oversees the institution with total research funding of $683 million. In 2026, U.S. News & World reported ranked Baylor as one of the 16 Tier One Research Intensive Medical Schools in the nation. The School of Health Professions and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences are also highly regarded nationally. Baylor is also home to the first National School of Tropical Medicine in North America. He also oversees more than 10,000 employees, 3,500 students, residents and fellows, and is responsible for the Baylor medical staff at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, the DeBakey VA Medical Center, Ben Taub Hospital and its affiliated clinics, the Menninger Clinic and the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. The enterprise revenue is over $2 billion dollars with net assets of approximately $2 billion.