Howard
The University of Toledo will announce the Dr. John M. Howard Endowed Professorship of Pancreatic Surgery at a ceremony Friday, Aug. 28, at 4 p.m. in the Dana Conference Center Lucas Auditorium.
Howard joined the Medical College of Ohio in 1974 and continues his active association with the institution, a span of 35 years. In total, he has spent 68 years studying and practicing medicine. He led the U.S. Army’s Surgical Research Team during the Korean War, and was awarded the Legion of Merit by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
He was honored by the U.S. Department of Transportation for “providing the vision that has become our nation’s Emergency Medical Services,” and was the founder and president of the American Trauma Society.
“Dr. Howard’s achievements in public service and public health have been recognized at the highest levels of government and academia,” said Dr. Gerald B. Zelenock, professor and chair of UT’s Department of Surgery. “His contributions to the treatment of pancreatic surgery are legendary.”
Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, Health Science Campus provost, executive vice president for health affairs and dean of the College of Medicine, will preside over the event. UT President Lloyd Jacobs also will be present.
“John has represented the very best in pancreatic surgery for decades, and UT is honored to create the Dr. John M. Howard Endowed Professorship of Pancreatic Surgery to ensure progress continues in this critical area of medicine,” Gold said.
“John Howard has long been a friend to the Medical College of Ohio and now to The University of Toledo,” Jacobs said. “It is fitting that UT lifts up his service and knowledge as we recruit the very best surgeon we can find to further his work.”
Howard is an honorary member of the European Surgical Association, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Surgical Association, and holds honorary fellowships in the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the College of Surgeons of Brazil, the Japanese Association of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and the Japan Surgical Society. In 2001, his colleagues at MCO awarded him the honorary degree of doctor of medical science.
UT has established the John M. Howard, M.D., Professor of Pancreatic Surgery Fund for those looking to make a donation.
“Dr. Howard has touched so many lives, both in his medical career and his public service,” said Howard Newman, associate vice president of development. “It is always exciting for me to be a part of helping invest in a position that will save lives and improve public health.”
Howard — father of six, grandfather of 10 and great-grandfather of two — will celebrate his 90th birthday Aug. 25.
