Gift Support, Name, Vision Also Announced
ROCHESTER, Mich., July 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Oakland University's Board of Trustees today approved the appointment of Robert Folberg, M.D., as the founding dean of the allopathic medical school Oakland will open with Beaumont Hospitals in 2010 with a charter class of 50 students. Oakland and Beaumont also announced the official name of the school -- Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWBSM) -- and that philanthropic support is approaching $25 million. They describe their vision for the school as "a partnership to lead innovation in patient-centered medical education and research."
"This is a watershed moment in Oakland University's history," said Oakland President Gary D. Russi. "Today, with our nationally recognized partner, Beaumont Hospitals, we have taken several momentous steps toward creating exciting opportunities in top-quality medical education for the next generation of doctors, and, at the same time, bringing to the region a much-needed economic and job-creation boost, and exciting new opportunities for a top-quality medical education for the next generation of doctors."
Beaumont Hospitals President and CEO Kenneth J. Matzick said, "This new medical school will help solve the predicted shortage of physicians in Michigan and attract renowned educators and researchers to the region."
Dr. Robert Folberg has served as chairman of the department of
pathology at University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago since 2000. He is
an esteemed professor of ophthalmology and pathology, with a national and
international reputation in the field of ophthalmic pathology, hospital
administration, education and research. In addition to his role as dean of
the OUWBSM, Dr. Folberg will also serve as professor of biomedical
sciences, pathology and ophthalmology, with tenure, and as Beaumont
Hospitals' chief academic officer. (View Dr. Folberg's complete CV at
| SOURCE William Beaumont Hospital Copyright©2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |