"The decision to retire was not an easy one to make," Blacklow said. "NEOUCOM continues tremendous growth and success, and I am proud to be a part of it. The professional challenges I have encountered here were satisfying."
"It is with high esteem that the entire board thanks Dr. Blacklow," said Raymond K. Janson, chairman of the NEOUCOM Board of Trustees. "Under his leadership, NEOUCOM has reached maturity."
Since Blacklow started at NEOUCOM, the school has concentrated its efforts in five areas and recruited faculty members who are experts in the fields of cardiovascular medicine and lipid metabolism; clinical outcomes and health policy; infectious disease and virology; neuroscience and behavioral systems; and skeletal biology and bone disorders. These steps have resulted in a 365 percent increase in external research funding and sponsored program revenue.
Blacklow's commitment to medical education resulted in the 1997 opening of NEOUCOM's Center for Studies of Clinical Performance. Through his efforts, the Northeastern Ohio Universities Master of Public Health program was started, a collaborative degree program of NEOUCOM, Kent State University, Youngstown State University, The University of Akron and Cleveland State University.
After retiring, Blacklow plans to devote more time pursuing professional and personal interests. He has proposed two projects to the Association of Academic Health Centers in Washington D.C., where he will serve as a special fellow.
In addition to his research, Blacklow plans to continue his work with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the Association of American Medical Colleges and the National Residency Matching Program.
"And, just as important, I have four grandchildren at last count and I would like to get to know them better," Blacklow said.
The NEOUCOM Board of Trustees agreed Friday to create a search committee
headed by Dr. Mark Apte of Tallmadge, who serves as the board's vice
chairman.
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