FORT WORTH, Texas— A veritable Who’s Who from government, medicine, and business have come together to serve on the host committee for the upcoming inauguration of Ronald R. Blanck, D.O., as the new president of the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

The 16 committee members share at least two characteristics – admiration for Dr. Blanck’s many achievements in medicine, in both academic and government circles, and support for the UNT Health Science Center’s work in education, research and patient care.

Serving on the committee are:

• Dr. William G. Anderson, associate dean of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Michigan region and a past president of the American Osteopathic Association
• Kenneth Barr, mayor of Fort Worth
• Edward Bass, a longtime supporter of the health science center, is chairman and CEO of Fine Line, Inc. and president of the Sid Richardson Foundation
• Dr. Robert Bernstein, former Commissioner of Health for the state of Texas and past president of the Texas Public Health Association
• Robert I. Fernandez, president of a Fort Worth accounting firm who has been honored for his community involvement
• Kay Granger, U.S. Representative and former Fort Worth mayor
• Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. Senator from Texas
• Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, an internationally respected pediatric surgeon and a personal friend of Dr. Blanck for more than 15 years
• Dr. J. L. LaManna, chairman of the board of Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians and a recipient of the prestigious Founders’ Medal from the health science center
• Gib Lewis, former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives who is the namesake for the Lewis Library at UNT Health Science Center and a Founders’ Medal recipient
• Mike Moncrief, Texas State Senator and another recipient of the Founders’ Medal
• Lucille "Lupe" Murchison, former member of the Board of Regents for the UNT System
• Ross Perot, chairman of the board for Perot Systems Corporation who has worked with Dr. Blanck on veteran’s health issues since the Gulf War
• Bobby Ray, chairman of the UNT Board of Regents who is also president of Goodman Family of Builders and regional president of K. Hovanian Companies
• Tim Sear, president and CEO of Alcon, the global leader in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments and accessories, and consumer vision care products
• Wayne O. Stockseth, a past chairman of the UNT Board of Regents, Founders’ Medal recipient, and president of the Corpus Christi-based Parts Distributing Co.

Inauguration ceremonies for Dr. Blanck are scheduled for April 7 at the Nancy Lee & Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in downtown Fort Worth. The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m.

As part of the festivities, the UNT Health Science Center will host its first community fundraising gala since The Rhapsody in Silver 25th Anniversary Ball in 1996. The 2001 President’s Ball will be held the evening of the inauguration at The Renaissance Worthington in downtown Fort Worth. The students and faculty of the world-renowned UNT College of Music will entertain guests throughout the evening with hot jazz, cool swing, big band favorites and Broadway show-stoppers.

President’s Ball table sponsorships range from $3,000 to $25,000. Individual tickets are $300 to $2,500. Top-level underwriters will be invited to a private reception with UNT System Chancellor Alfred F. Hurley and the Inauguration Host Committee before the ball. For information, call 817-735-5493.

Dr. Blanck, 59, most recently served as the Surgeon General of the United States 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. He retired from the Army as a lieutenant general in July 2000.

As president, Dr. Blanck oversees a growing academic medical center that includes the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and School of Public Health. More than 190 full-time faculty and 300 volunteer community physicians work with 753 students who are training to be osteopathic physicians, researchers, public health professionals, physician assistants and other health professionals.

If you are with the media and need additional information or would like to arrange an interview, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 817-735-2446.