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October 26, 1995

Pathology chair named associate vice chancellor, interim med dean

Pathology department chairperson George Michalopoulos has been appointed associate vice chancellor for Health Sciences and interim dean of the School of Medicine, effective Nov. 1.

As interim dean, Michalopoulos will replace George Bernier, who is resigning to become dean of medicine and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Michalopoulos's interim deanship is expected to last for two years, while his associate vice chancellor appointment is permanent.

Michalopoulos's joint appointment as an administrator for the Health Sciences and the medical school may be a preview of things to come: Interim Chancellor Mark Nordenberg said he is considering merging the positions of medical dean and senior vice chancellor for Health Sciences, a job now held by Thomas Detre.

Michalopoulos is the third new Health Sciences administrator Nordenberg has appointed since becoming interim chancellor.

In July, Nordenberg named orthopaedic surgery chairperson James H. Herndon as associate senior vice chancellor for Health Sciences and vice president for medical services of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Nordenberg said Herndon's appointment would provide another administrative link between Health Sciences academic units and UPMC clinical services, and would relieve some of Detre's workload. At Nordenberg's request, Detre, 71, agreed to continue putting off retirement at least through the 1995-96 academic year.

The associate senior vice chancellor job had been unfilled since Detre himself held it from 1982-84, prior to being appointed senior vice chancellor.

Earlier this month, Nordenberg named University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Director Ronald Herberman to the newly created position of associate vice chancellor for research, Health Sciences.

As associate vice chancellor, Herberman coordinates and facilitates Pitt's biomedical scientific research programs.

Regarding Michalopoulos's appointment, Detre commented in a written statement: "Dr. Michalopoulos is internationally recognized for his research on liver regeneration and carcinogenesis and has assembled an outstanding group of investigators in the Department of Pathology. His appointment is a testimonial to his academic leadership and the high standards he has brought to his role as department chairman." In a written statement, Michalopoulos said: "I am pleased to accept this challenge. In these times of re-examination of the medical profession and the health care industry, it is important that structures are developed that will insure the continuity of the research enterprise. I also plan to maintain the momentum created by the innovative curriculum changes that have occurred at the School of Medicine during the past three years." Prior to joining the Pitt faculty, Michalopoulos was a professor of pathology at Duke University Medical Center. He is a member of numerous professional and scientific societies and is vice president of the University Association for Research and Education in Pathology. He has authored several chapters in books and more than 125 scientific articles. He serves on the editorial boards of several specialty journals, including the Journal of Pathology, Hepatology, and Human Pathology.

A native of Athens, Greece, Michalopoulos received his medical degree from Athens University Medical School and his doctorate in oncology from the University of Wisconsin.

— Bruce Steele

Filed under: Feature,Volume 28 Issue 5

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