OHSU School of Medicine Announces Alumni Association Awards

   Portland, Ore.

Charles Preuss Distinguished Alumni Award, the Dean's Award and Nine Meritorious Achievement Awards Conferred

Oregon Health Sciences University's most prestigious alumni award, the Charles Preuss Distinguished Alumni Award, this year goes to Robert D. Koler, M.D., professor emeritus of molecular and medical genetics, and associate vice president for academic affairs at OHSU. Koler is recognized by his fellow alumni as the physician who most emulates the 1929 OHSU alumnus for which the award was named, Charles A. Preuss, M.D. Preuss advocated physicians taking active roles in guiding the future of their community, their school and the medical profession.

As a pioneer in genetics research, Koler anticipated the importance of genetics and molecular biochemistry. His research in unusual hemoglobins led him to create and lead the Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics that grew into the Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, which he chaired. School of Medicine graduates nominate candidates, and the alumni council judges them on their service to the medical profession, the School of Medicine and to the community in which they live. Colleagues, alumni, current students, OHSU School of Medicine faculty and the families of recipients will celebrate Koler's, and his fellow award winners', contributions to medical education, Thursday, May 11, at 6 p.m. at the Multnomah Athletic Club.

Also being honored for their services to OHSU are the recipients of the Dean's Award and the Meritorious Achievement Awards. The Dean's Award is presented to an individual whose outstanding contribution has led to the advancement of the School of Medicine. This year's recipient is Marvin W. Harrison, M.D., professor of surgery (pediatric surgery), OHSU School of Medicine.

The Meritorious Achievement Awards are presented to clinical OHSU faculty members whose commitment to the School of Medicine has spanned a minimum of 10 years. They are nominated for this award by the department or division they serve and are confirmed by the alumni council. This year the Meritorious Achievement Awards will be presented to nine OHSU School of Medicine clinical faculty. See attached page for a listing of award winners.

Meritorious Achievement Award Recipients

• Charles Conrad Carter, M.D., clinical professor of neurology, graduate of OHSU School of Medicine, 1948
• Henry Grass, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry, resident in OHSU School of Medicine, 1975
• Dwight J. Kimberly, Ph.D., volunteer faculty, department of physiology and pharmacology
• Michael T. McCleskey, M.D., clinical associate professor of family medicine, graduate of OHSU School of Medicine, 1972
• Janet L. Roberts, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology, resident in OHSU School of Medicine, 1979
• Jerry M. Slepack, M.D., clinical associate professor of medicine (infectious diseases)
• Larry R.Thomas, M.D., clinical instructor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, resident in OHSU School of Medicine in 1978
• John W.Thompson, M.D., clinical instructor of orthopaedics and rehabilitation, graduate of OHSU School of Medicine, 1959
•  W. Slate Wilson, M.D., clinical professor of surgery (general surgery), graduate of OHSU School of Medicine, 1964

Charles Preuss Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

• Robert D. Koler, M.D., professor emeritus of molecular and medical genetics, professor emeritus of medicine (hematology and medical oncology), associate vice president for academic affairs, OHSU School of Medicine, graduate of OHSU School of Medicine, 1947

Dean's Award Recipient

• Marvin W. Harrison, M.D., professor of surgery (pediatric surgery), professor of pediatrics

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