The University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) at Fort Worth has named Dr. Richard S. Kurz as dean of its School of Public Health, effective Sept. 4.  Dr. Kurz joins the elite faculty after serving as professor and dean of St. Louis University’s (SLU) School of Public Health for 29 years.

Kurz will be responsible for meeting the mission of the school and contributing to the overall goals of the UNTHSC, including research funding, expanding the educational program, and establishing the School of Public Health as a recognized authority in community and state health.  He replaces Dr. Fernando Treviño, who recently was named chancellor of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

            As dean of SLU’s School of Public Health, Dr. Kurz led four individual and seven joint degree programs, continuing education programs, as well as faculty, students and associated activities.  He joins the UNT Health Science Center with a wealth of experience and notable awards including the 2002 Certificate of Merit Award from the Missouri Public Health Association, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and foundation grants experience.

During Dr. Kurz’s leadership, SLU’s School of Public Health was established, research funding increased from $500,000 to $40 million and the number of students increased 40 percent to 300.  In addition, Dr. Kurz:

·               served on the Association of Schools of Public Health executive committee and chaired the publications committee and the Council on Distance Education;

·               served as editor of the Journal of Healthcare Management, the primary journal of the American College of Healthcare Executives; and

·               served as chair of the board of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration and is currently a member of the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.

“Dr. Kurz’s vast knowledge of current public health issues, in addition to his experience leading a nationally renowned school of public health will add a whole new dimension to the UNT Health Science Center’s ability to address public health issues,” said Dr. Scott  Ransom, president of the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth.  “We are thrilled that he will lead our efforts to bring world class public health education and service to North Texas.”

Dr. Kurz holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Washington and Lee University at Lexington, Va., and a doctorate in sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

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