The formal auditorium setting at the University of Toledo’s Health Science Campus didn’t stop 170 professors, administrators, physicians, and students from mingling Thursday like they were at a college reunion.
In a way, they were.
The event marked the 10th anniversary of the 2006 merger between UT and the Medical University of Ohio, which together form Ohio’s third largest public university by budget.
Many who attended the celebration applauded the union for its influence on the schools’ academic and professional goals.
UT President Sharon Gaber lauded the presidents who led the two institutions during the merger — former UT President Daniel Johnson and Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, the MUO president who took over at UT when the schools combined.
“I’ve decided that they’re our contemporary founding fathers,” said Ms. Gaber, adding that their efforts to bring the two institutions together has resulted in richer course loads for students, stronger healthcare for patients, and a better public image for the school and Toledo.
Before coming to UT, Mr. Johnson had first-hand knowledge of two other similar mergers — one between Virginia Commonwealth University and the Medical College of Virginia and one between the University of North Texas and the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.
While he knew what to expect in the mechanics of the deal, he said he’s still amazed by the dedication of the other faculty and staff members.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the hundreds of people who came together for this,” he said. “It represents a springboard for an even more productive decade.”
Dr. Chris Cooper, dean of the college of medicine and life sciences, spoke about some of the accomplishments since the two joined forces. Four treatments developed at UT, used on cardiovascular patients, were approved by the FDA this year, and he himself was able to collaborate with Mohammad Elahinia from the engineering department on a catheter meant to remove blood clots from the lungs.
In a video featuring interviews from people involved in the merger, assistant professor in radiology Dr. Jacob Bieszczad recounted his time as a student during the transition.
“I remember, as a medical student, standing on the roof of the medical center and being able to see the university tower,” he said. “I wondered why these two institutions who were separated by a couple of miles couldn’t make this work.”
The former Medical College of Ohio, whose name later changed to MUO, was created in 1964 by community leaders including Paul Block, Jr., then co-publisher of The Blade.
Contact Elena Saavedra Buckley at: ebuckley@theblade.com, 419-724-6050, or on Twitter at @elenaSB_.
First Published June 17, 2016, 4:27 a.m.
