ROOTSTOWN NEOUCOM chief to retire at end of school year

ROOTSTOWN -- Dr. Robert S. Blacklow, 67, president and dean of the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, will retire at the end of this academic year, June 30.
Dr. Blacklow has led the college since July 1992 and he is the longest-serving president and dean of NEOUCOM, founded in 1973.
During his tenure, NEOUCOM concentrated in five areas or research 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.
That focus has resulted in a 365 percent increase in research funding and sponsored program revenue.
Additionally, charitable gifts rose from $163,307 in 1992 to more than $2.6 million in 2001.
In 1997, NEOUCOM opened an innovative Center for Studies of Clinical Performance, which uses simulated patients and physician raters to teach students communication skills.
In addition to his research, Blacklow plans to continue his work with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the National Residency Matching Program, organizations in which he has held leadership roles throughout the years.