Harold M. Maurer, M.D., Named UNMC Chancellor

 University of Nebraska President L. Dennis Smith, Ph.D., has announced

the appointment of Harold M. Maurer, M.D., as chancellor of the University

of Nebraska Medical Center, effective Dec. 1. The appointment was approved

by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents at its Oct. 23 meeting.

 Dr. Maurer has served as dean of the UNMC College of Medicine

since 1993. He also holds academic appointments in the department of pediatrics

and in the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases

at UNMC.

 “Dr. Maurer is an experienced academician and a highly talented

physician,” Dr. Smith said. “He has an in-depth knowledge of the operations

of the Medical Center, and he understands how important it is to provide

quality health care to the people of this state.”

 Dr. Maurer said: “I am, of course, very pleased and excited about

this unique opportunity to help lead UNMC through the new millennium and

to assist in its continued growth into a national and international center

of excellence. We will look at the health-care needs of rural and urban

Nebraska. We will try to strengthen existing ties, and to develop new ties

with the leadership and the citizens of Nebraska so they have as much civic

pride in the University of Nebraska Medical Center as they have in the

Huskers.”

 Dr. Maurer will replace William O. Berndt, Ph.D., as chancellor.

Dr. Berndt has served as chancellor since 1996 and also served as interim

chancellor from 1991-92. Dr. Berndt will return to his former position

of vice chancellor of academic affairs.

 “Dr. Maurer has been a key member of UNMCs leadership team and

has led major initiatives at a critical time in UNMCs history, Dr. Berndt

said. “The university will be in very good hands. Dr. Maurer knows the

campus, the community and the state, and he is very capable of leading

the Medical Center into the 21st century.”

 From 1968 to 1993, Dr. Maurer was on the faculty of the Childrens

Medical Center at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, serving

as the Jessie Ball duPont Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics

during his last nine years there. Prior to this, he served two years as

chief of pediatrics for the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in Norfolk,

Va., and he did a two-year fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology

at Babies Hospital at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York.

 A native of New York City, Dr. Maurer earned his bachelors degree

from New York University and his medical degree from the State University

of New York Downstate Medical Center at Brooklyn. He currently serves on

the board of directors of Nebraska Health System and chairs the UNMC Faculty

Council.

 UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the

state. Through its commitment to research, education and patient care,

UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for

cancer research and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than

$34 million in research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists

annually. In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for

training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other

institution.