John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the UNMC College of Medicine from 2003-2010, died Tuesday at the Hospice House in Omaha after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 72.
A native of Australia, Dr. Gollan was recognized internationally for his work in gastroenterology. Prior to coming to UNMC in 2001, he worked at some of the leading medical centers in the world including Harvard Medical School, University of California, San Francisco, University of London, and University of Adelaide, South Australia.
Notable accomplishments
Other notable accomplishments during Dr. Gollan’s term as dean included:
- Helping to raise millions of dollars locally and around the country for the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education, which opened in 2008 and gave the College of Medicine its first-ever home on campus and one of the most technologically advanced educational facilities in the country;
- Increasing the medical class size from 120 to 130 in 2008, the first increase in class size in 30 years;
- Working with Nebraska Medicine to establish the Biocontainment Unit, which has gained national prominence this year for its care of Ebola patients; and
- Recruiting 11 different department chairpersons.
Among his numerous professional activities, Dr. Gollan served as president of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Association for the Study of Liver.
He joined UNMC as chair of the department of internal medicine and two years later was elevated to dean of the College of Medicine. He stepped down as dean in 2010 and wound up his career as emeritus professor, internal medicine-gastroenterology.
As dean, Dr. Gollan was pivotal in negotiating an affiliation agreement in 2007 between UNMC, its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center that greatly enhanced the quality of pediatric care in Nebraska.
“Dr. Gollan was instrumental in working with me to bring the shared visions and missions of our organizations together through the affiliation agreement, paving the way for the future of pediatric care, education and research for the children of our state, region and beyond,” said Gary Perkins, president and CEO, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. “He was a true gentleman, a person with whom you could relate on both a personal and professional level.”
“John was a great dean,” said Harold M. Maurer, M.D., chancellor emeritus of UNMC. “He always had a broader approach and did what was best for UNMC, and not necessarily best for the College of Medicine.”
Dr. Maurer said a striking example of Dr. Gollan’s team mentality was the creation of the UNMC College of Public Health. It was a project that Dr. Gollan strongly supported to benefit the broader community, even though the College of Medicine lost a department in its creation.
Memorial fund
Dr. Gollan is survived by his wife, Roseanne, three children, Jackie, Timothy and Jennifer, and three grandchildren.
The University of Nebraska Foundation has established the John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D. Memorial Fund. Donations in memory of Dr. Gollan should be sent to the University of Nebraska Foundation, 2285 S. 67th St., Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68106.
Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., former vice chancellor of research for UNMC, said: “Dr. Gollan’s innovative and prolific research into the causes and treatment of liver disease earned him the highest respect among his colleagues as well as the gratitude of generations of patients.
“Among Dr. Gollan’s highest accomplishments was his unique ability to be a successful leader of physicians and scientists while remaining at all times respectful, cordial, modest and witty, a true gentleman to his core and a genuine pleasure to work with.”
“Dr. Gollan was an excellent dean. He was a very compassionate and caring man. He gave his heart and soul to the Medical Center. We had many thoughtful conversations together. He taught me a lot about life and a career in academic medicine. He was a true gentleman in every sense. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”
“Dr. Gollan was a superb gentleman in the finest sense of the word. As the chair of medicine, he was collegial and committed to improving relationships between people and departments. As a dean, he was supportive of chairpersons and gently and deftly led the College of Medicine through some challenging times.”
“I will remember Dr. Gollan for his unique leadership style, which was anchored by the ‘always the gentleman’ approach he continually exhibited.”
“John was a gentle man. He was well known in the field of liver disease, particularly metal storage diseases and transplantation. He treated everyone with respect and kindness. He will be missed.”
“I remember John Gollan as a kind and caring man of utmost integrity. He was a consummate gentleman who led by consensus building. He went out of his way to provide me with helpful mentorship advice. I will miss his wry sense of humor and his upbeat spirit.”
“John will be remembered as a great dean. I always enjoyed working with him on various projects. He was a very kind man who embraced challenges with great expectations regardless of the situation. He will certainly be missed.”
“Dr. Gollan was a gentle individual who provided stable leadership in the department of internal medicine and in the dean's office. His Australian background and demeanor worked well at Nebraska. It was a pleasure to work with him. He will be missed.”
“John was a warm and thoughtful leader who was always a gentleman in his dealing with others. He was a great facilitator. He had an effective way of dealing with problems in which he would bring people together and have them meet until they resolved the issue. It had a lot to do with his patience. He was class. His important accomplishments included recruiting 11 department chairs, building good relationships with the newly established Nebraska Medical Center and patiently negotiating an important affiliation agreement with Children’s Hospital & Medical Center that greatly benefited resident and student education and pediatrics faculty.”
“John’s untimely illness and passing is a loss that is deeply felt by UNMC. John was truly a gentleman and scholar and his wisdom and unfailingly gentle and calm manner will be missed by all.”
“Dr. Gollan epitomized all that is good and noble about being an academic internist. He was an outstanding physician, an internationally recognized investigator who discovered new mechanisms that caused liver disease and someone who loved to teach and mentor those around him. I will always miss his smile, his kindness and his great accent.”
“It was a real coup for UNMC to recruit John and Roseanne from Boston. During his tenure as dean, the College of Medicine saw record growth in research and in growth of the faculty practice plan. But I think John will be remembered best by his unfailing courtesy, kindness and good humor.”
“Meeting with John Gollan was a critical aspect in my recruitment to UNMC. His accomplishment and dedication to academic medicine were striking and sincere. While there are many aspects to his legacy here, to me it is a personal one – while our overlap in time wasn’t extensive, his advice as well as his style will remain outstanding examples of leadership.”
John led by example. He balanced his love for the institution with devotion to those in his charge from students, to patient, to faculty and beyond. What separated him from many others was an uncanny ability to see through conflicting information given to him and get correctly with precision to the heart of any matter. He was on task. HIs caring devotion to others will be his lasting legacy. He will be missed but leaves a mark for always with warmest affection and admiration.
Dr. Gollan was a true gentleman and a great Dean. He recruited me here as the pediatric chair shortly after the Affiliation with Children’s Hospital & Medical Center was signed. I personally enjoyed our many conversations, with great appreciation for not only his warmth and kindness, but also his keen intellect and tremendous insight. Among his many legacies will be strengthening the relationship between UNMC and Children’s, to improve the lives of children.
John wasn't just an Australian; he was a Tasmanian, and I think he loved his native land, decorating his office with photos of the surf and woodlands and wild places. I was introduced to him by Mike Sorrell years ago when John was still working in Boston (or was it San Francisco then?). He was immediately enchanting, with that smile we all came to love, bordering on the whimsical, if not outright ornery. We recruited John out of the University of Adelaide, his medical school alma mater where he had returned to serve as department chair. I was both honored and excited that he would leave all that and move his wife to Nebraska. At the time, though, John had offspring with new families on both coasts and he confessed to me that settling in the middle of the US avoided the risk of favoritism and reduced travel time for him and Roseanne. As the surgery department chair in a time of budget reductions, I had my share of disagreements with a Dean who began his career with us as the Chair of Medicine. I can only hope that John both enjoyed and regretted those battles as much as I. It's a shame we live at an institution that leads research in Parkinson's yet we lost John so early to that terrible disease. I hope Roseanne and her children and grandchildren can find peace in knowing we dearly loved our resident Tasmanian.
I remember feeling very welcomed by Dr. Gollan shortly after joining UNMC. His kindness and leadership are an example to others.
I had the pleasure of working with John when he was Chair of Internal Medicine, and in other roles, after he became Dean. I can only echo the remarks of others, that he was a great role model for many, including myself, as the epitome of the caring clinician-educator, who also understood what it takes to be a great researcher. He believed it was important to take time to develop relationships, for teaching and for mentoring. He loved attending in the fellows clinic. He loved to talk about science. He continued to attend Internal Medicine grand rounds as long as he could, because he loved to learn. In short, he was a 'Gentleman Scholar' to the end.
I will never forget my job interview for a faculty position with Dr. John Gollan twelve years ago when he was the Chairman of Internal Medicine. He stood up from his office chair, walked towards me, shook my hand, and then he said: “Andre, I am so glad you are here…we have too many things in common to talk about! After sitting down he was holding a folder with my curriculum vitae…he literally went through my entire resume in a very kind and interactive conversation…without ever opening the folder in his hands! The impression he left on me is vivid in my mind up to this very moment. I am going to miss him.
Andre Kalil, M.D., M.P.H
Professor
Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Internal Medicine
He was a wonderful person, a true gentleman, and a leader with a soft touch and much compassion. He always listened and cared about others. He communicated with students with no barriers. I often hear from Chinese students he met in China that, "your dean addressed my questions and e-mails so promptly”. He also was a fighter, a true brave one. After he retired from his deanship, he would say to me, come to my office and if you ever need my suggestions, I will be happy to talk with you. John, your smile, your care for others, and your selflessness and most importantly, your spirit will be deeply missed. Jialin C. Zheng
John achieved so much in medicine, leadership, research, and teaching and yet is exceptional for the humble collegiality many others have commented on. In the midst of his many duties he seemed to have an endless energy for trekking all the way to the VA and joining the Morning Report, and for encouraging junior faculty in their work and careers. Indeed if I ever do participate in the Royal Flying Doctor Service or visit Adelaide, it will be largely due to his encouragement. I offer my deep sympathy to Roseanne and his family, and to his many patients and colleagues.
Dr. Gollan convinced me to take a year and study in Australia during medical school. It was one of the best decisions of my life and I wouldn't have done it without his encouragement. I'll always associate him with the place and experience, which was incredible.