Harold M. Maurer, M.D., chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has been elected to the Association of Academic Health Centers’ (AAHC) board of directors.
Dr. Maurer, who was elected during Friday’s annual business meeting, will serve a three-year term on the board of the national, non-profit organization, which seeks to improve the nation’s health and well-being through leadership of the nation’s academic health centers.
"I am delighted that Dr. Maurer has been elected to the AAHC Board of Directors," said Steven Wartman, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of the AAHC. "He brings enormous wisdom and experience to this position, and the association will benefit from his insight and support."
"It’s an honor to be elected to the board," Dr. Maurer said. "The AAHC fills an important role in health care and UNMC has been a strong supporter of the work done by Dr. Wartman and the AAHC to advance the nation’s health."
UNMC is a member of the AAHC, which is composed of accredited, degree-granting institutions that:
· Educate a variety of health care professionals;
· Offer comprehensive basic and advanced patient care; and
· Conduct a wide spectrum of health care research.
An internationally recognized, award-winning researcher, Dr. Maurer became the seventh chancellor at UNMC on Dec. 1, 1998, after having served as dean of the UNMC College of Medicine since 1993.
In 2007, the AAHC recognized Dr. Maurer for his vast contributions to the organization.
He also has received honors such as:
· The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Children’s Oncology Group for his research in rhabdomyosarcoma;
· People of Vision Award;
· “Midlander of the Year” by the Omaha World-Herald;
· 109th King of Ak-Sar-Ben; and
· Induction in the Omaha Business Hall of Fame.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now exceeds $100 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 3,200 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.