FORT WORTH, Texas – The Annapolis Center for Science-Based Public Policy has named Ronald R. Blanck, DO, president of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, to its board of directors.

Blanck will also serve on The Annapolis Center’s Medical Advisory Committee. The committee provides an opportunity for leading experts in the environmental, health, medical and safety fields to exchange opinions and strategies regarding emerging trends.

The Annapolis Center for Science-Based Public Policy is a national, non-profit educational organization that supports and promotes responsible environmental, health and safety decision making through the use of sound science. It was founded by a group of scientists, former policy-makers, and economists committed to ensuring that public policy decisions are based on scientific facts and reasoning.

Blanck joined the UNT Health Science Center in August 2000 after his retirement from the U.S. Army. He began his military career in 1968 as a medical officer and battalion surgeon in Vietnam. He retired 32 years later as the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and commander of the U.S. Army Medical Command -- with more than 46,000 military personnel and 26,000 civilian employees throughout the world.

Board certified in internal medicine, Blanck is considered an expert on bioterrorism issues. He currently chairs the American Osteopathic Association’s Task Force on Bioterrorism and the Texas Medical Association’s Task Force on Bioterrorism.

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