Blanck to step down at UNT(HSC)

[MootPoint]

Blanck to step down at UNT

07:30 AM CDT on Friday, October 7, 2005

By Matthew Zabel / Staff Writer

Dr. Ronald Blanck, president of the University of North Texas Health Science Center since 2000, announced this week he would retire as soon as the school finds a new president.

Dr. Ronald Blanck

Blanck, 64, was traveling Thursday and could not be reached for comment, a university spokeswoman said.

But in a prepared statement, Blanck said he and his wife, Donna, want to move closer to their family on the East Coast.

“I make the announcement with some sadness, because I love the UNT Health Science Center, and have enjoyed being part of such a wonderful, dynamic institution,” Blanck’s statement said.

University administrators said Thursday they were saddened but not surprised by Blanck’s announcement.

“It was not unexpected, but it will be a loss for the institution,” said Greg Upp, vice president for institutional coordination.

Upp said Blanck was pretty open about his intent to work in that capacity for five years then retire, “and that’s exactly what he did.”

Before joining the Health Science Center, Blanck spent 32 years in the U.S. Army, where he retired as a lieutenant general serving as the Army’s Surgeon General. In that position, he had command of 46,000 military personnel and 26,000 civilian employees throughout the world.

UNT Chancellor Lee Jackson praised Blanck for his vision and leadership qualities and his involvement in the Fort Worth community.

“We’re sorry to see him go,” Jackson said. “We [Jackson and the Board of Regents] have known this day was coming, and we’ve urged him to postpone it as long as possible.”

But Jackson said Blanck was doing everything he could to ensure a smooth transition while the university seeks a new president.

Among Blanck’s achievements at the Health Science Center include the opening of the Osteopathic Research Center in 2002, the creation of the Diabetes Research and Metabolic Studies Center in 2003, the creation of the School of Health Professions in 2004 and the openings of the Center for Non-invasive Imaging and the Texas Center for Minority Health, Education, Research and Outreach this year.

Also during Blanck’s tenure at the university, enrollment nearly doubled, research funding tripled and the size of the campus doubled with the construction of the Center for Bio-Health and the purchase of additional property, including the Osteopathic Medical Center of Texas, which closed last year because of financial problems.

Jackson said Blanck’s foresight kept that hospital’s closing from causing a serious problem for the university.

Blanck had been working for several years to develop strong relationships with other local hospitals so that the university did not have to rely on just one to provide internships and residencies for its medical school students.

When that hospital closed mid-semester, the Health Science Center’s relationships with other hospitals were diverse enough that it was able to relocate its student doctors, Jackson said.

“That is a good example of handling a problem with imagination and foresight and not having to whine about the overwhelming events,” Jackson said.

One of those key agreements was with John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Jackson said.

Blanck also led the university to a high ranking in the U.S. News and World Report and in Hispanic Business magazine.

Dr. Marc B. Hahn, a doctor of osteopathic medicine and dean of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, said Blanck has been a great leader, mentor and friend.

“He has been a strong and visible leader for the institution for the five years he’s been here,” Hahn said. “In fact, it seems more like 25 years than five that he’s been here because of his impact in the community.”

Jackson said a search for Blanck’s replacement would begin soon, and he hoped to name a replacement by late spring or early summer.

[meangreendork]

There has to be a reason why the HSC president is leaving with the university president.

Why am I worried that the reason isn't good?

[GoMeanGreen1999]

You are worrying for no reason.....not uncommon for people to leave in the same year, especially from a large university such as North Texas.

[NT80]

Well, something seems to be going on in higher administration. I think the wrong ones are leaving.

[Monkeypox]

This is not really NEWS news... and it's got nothing to do with anything else.

[ipEAGLE]

The guy is 64 YEARS OLD! Let him retire.

[UNT_playmaker]

man i really hope the bad of UNT, lee jackson would retire, we are losing all of the good here at UNT.

[DallasGreen]

Note the reply "we" ( Jackson and BOR). It's evident who now runs the show at UNT. Look for more resignations or at least resign or be fired ultimatums. I predict every Pohl hire including RV is now in jeopardy. UNT is in the midst of taking a GIANT step backwards with more and more $$$ and emphasis thrown the way of a miserably failing Dallas campus.