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.