Who do you think has more of a say in admissions--the Dean of a School of Medicine or the people on the "adcom"? Of course it's the former. Not that the overall dean will micromanage and step in all the time, but he can make a "recommendation" about a certain candidate (on the good faith information from a trusted friend or associate) taht will greatly influence the lowly adcom. So, it can certainly help.
There is much contention aboiut the ethics/legitimacy of such an approach, but screw it--it is such a competitive game to get into med school these days, that it is certainly understandable to utilize every advantage you can get. That being said, the advantage could just be getting an interview--after that you have to sell yourself.
I actually speak from personal experience on this issue. I worked for a full professor at a very prestigious medical school over the summer but did not ask him for a recommendation (don't ask). When it appeared to me that I was probably not getting an interview from said school, I asked him to write me a letter to the Dean. Lo and behold--I got an interview. It didn't help much, but it was still a chance to shine. So, do what you can, and have no regrets.
