University Times

Edgar N. Duncan, the first African-American graduate of Pitt’s Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) and a former associate dean in the school, died Dec. 17, 2011, of pancreatic cancer. He was 79.

Duncan earned a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University’s School of Pharmacy in 1954, then went on to earn a master’s degree in hygiene in hospital administration at GSPH in 1956.

Duncan had a lengthy career in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS). As he rose through the USPHS ranks, he broke new ground, becoming the first African American commissioned as a USPHS pharmacist and the first African-American chief pharmacist at a USPHS hospital.

He rose to the rank of assistant U.S. surgeon general in 1972, the first pharmacist to hold the post.

Duncan returned to the University in 1982, holding several positions over more than two decades as an administrator at GSPH, including associate dean for academic affairs, interim director of the Center for Minority Health and director of the Partners in Education Consortium.

Duncan also established and directed the public health career opportunity program for minority and disadvantaged students.

He earned a PhD in higher education administration from Pitt’s School of Education in 1990.

Faculty colleagues at GSPH recalled Duncan as a skilled administrator and approachable mentor who was devoted to his work.

Faculty member Edmund M. Ricci, director of the Institute for Evaluation Science in Community Health, said students and colleagues alike were attracted by Duncan’s warmth and dedication. “There was no trouble talking with him about anything,” Ricci said. “He was in his office all the time, often late into the evening, with the door always open.”

Ricci said he relied on Duncan as an important mentor when he became chair of what was then the Department of Health Services Administration. “He had so much experience and acquired wisdom after such a long record of administrative positions,” Ricci said. “I was a rookie.”

Ricci said Duncan was especially skilled at bringing people together, solving complex problems and resolving student issues. “He was invaluable when dealing with disagreements between faculty and students,” Ricci said, noting that he often would call upon Duncan’s assistance when students needed in-depth counsel or advice. Duncan had excellent communication and people skills, a diplomatic manner and related well to students, Ricci said. “He had a good sense of when to push, when to support and give them time, and when to give up.”

His government service served him well in navigating layers of bureaucracy, Ricci said, recalling Duncan’s skill in shepherding educational programs for approval by school and University administration.

Epidemiology faculty member Trevor Orchard met Duncan after arriving at the University in 1979. As a new faculty member from England, “I knew nothing about American academics. He took me aside and gave leadership and guidance,” Orchard said. “I was struck by his friendly competence.”

Orchard said Duncan helped him establish a lipid clinic even though it was almost unheard of to offer such clinical care within public health. Duncan wasn’t put off by the fact that it had not been done before, Orchard said. “He was driven by what was needed and what was right.”

Duncan retired from the University in 2003, then completed Duquesne University’s pharmacy refresher program and continued to work as a pharmacist.

Over the course of his career, Duncan was recognized with numerous professional honors, including the American Public Health Association’s Distinguished Service Award and the Hildrus A. Poindexter Distinguished Service Award.

He was named a Duquesne University pharmacy distinguished alumnus in 1974 and was recognized among 100 Duquesne distinguished alumni in 1978. He earned his alma mater’s Pharmacy Achievement Award in 1994 and its Pharmacy Distinguished Service Award in 1995.

At GSPH, Duncan was named among 50 significant contributors to public health at the school’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1999.

Duncan is survived by his wife, Lauraine, and sons Eric, Conrad and David.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Dr. Edgar and Lauraine Duncan Endowed Fund for Student Resources. Established in 2003, the fund supports doctoral and master’s level GSPH students, with priority given to disadvantaged and minority students.

—Kimberly K. Barlow