Ronald R. Blanck
Encyclopedia
Lt. Gen.
(Ret.) Ronald R. Blanck, D.O., was the 39th Surgeon General of the United States Army (1996 to 2000). He is a doctor of osteopathic medicine and is the only such physician ever appointed Surgeon General of the Army. He was also president of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
from 2000 to 2006.
and is board certified in internal medicine. 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.
During his military career, he also served as commander of Walter Reed Medical Center; first commander of the North Atlantic Region Medical Command; and Director of Professional Services and Chief of Medical Corps Affairs for the U.S. Army Surgeon General. Other assignments included Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine; Chief of the Department of Medicine at Brooke Army Medical Center; Commander, Berlin Army Hospital; and Commander, Frankfurt Regional Army Medical Center.
He has held teaching positions at Georgetown University
, George Washington University
, Howard University College of Medicine
, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
and the University of North Texas Health Science Center.
He joined the UNT Health Science Center in August 2000 after his retirement from the U.S. Army and served as president until June 30, 2006. As president, he headed an academic health center that includes the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health and School of Health Professions. He is now is a partner and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Martin, Blanck & Associates. The company, formerly Martin & Associates, does health care consulting for the private sector and the government. He is consulted as an advisor on bioterrorism issues and an expert in preparing the medical community to respond to mass casualty incidents or those involving weapons of mass destruction. He chaired task forces on bioterrorism for both the Texas Medical Association and the American Osteopathic Association
.
s, the Defense Superior Service Medal
, the Legion of Merit
, the Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service and Army Commendation Medals.
In 2000 the American Medical Association honored him with its highest award for government officials, the Dr. Nathan Davis Award.
He is past Governor of the American College of Physicians/American Society of Internal Medicine and was named a Master by the society.
He was elected to the National Board of Medical Examiners and also joined the boards of Delsite, Inc, Noblis
, Inc (formerly Mitretek Systems, Inc), Trauma Cure, Inc and The Annapolis Center for Science-Based Public Policy.
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
(Ret.) Ronald R. Blanck, D.O., was the 39th Surgeon General of the United States Army (1996 to 2000). He is a doctor of osteopathic medicine and is the only such physician ever appointed Surgeon General of the Army. He was also president of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, commonly known as the UNT Health Science Center and abbreviated UNTHSC, is a graduate-level institution of the University of North Texas System...
from 2000 to 2006.
Career
He is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicinePhiladelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the oldest and largest osteopathic medical schools. Founded in 1899, PCOM is home to over 1000 medical students as well as graduate-level students in several other fields of health care. One of the largest medical schools in the United...
and is board certified in internal medicine. He began his military career in 1968 as a medical officer and battalion surgeon in Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. 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.
During his military career, he also served as commander of Walter Reed Medical Center; first commander of the North Atlantic Region Medical Command; and Director of Professional Services and Chief of Medical Corps Affairs for the U.S. Army Surgeon General. Other assignments included Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine; Chief of the Department of Medicine at Brooke Army Medical Center; Commander, Berlin Army Hospital; and Commander, Frankfurt Regional Army Medical Center.
He has held teaching positions at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
, George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
, Howard University College of Medicine
Howard University College of Medicine
The Howard University College of Medicine is an academic division of Howard University, and grants the Doctor of Medicine , Ph.D., MS, and the MPH...
, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is a health science university run by the U.S. federal government. The primary mission of the school is to prepare graduates for service to the U.S. at home and abroad in the medical corps....
, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is an institute of health science education and research, located in the South Texas Medical Center....
and the University of North Texas Health Science Center.
He joined the UNT Health Science Center in August 2000 after his retirement from the U.S. Army and served as president until June 30, 2006. As president, he headed an academic health center that includes the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health and School of Health Professions. He is now is a partner and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Martin, Blanck & Associates. The company, formerly Martin & Associates, does health care consulting for the private sector and the government. He is consulted as an advisor on bioterrorism issues and an expert in preparing the medical community to respond to mass casualty incidents or those involving weapons of mass destruction. He chaired task forces on bioterrorism for both the Texas Medical Association and the American Osteopathic Association
American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association is the representative member organization for the over 78,000 osteopathic medical physicians in the United States...
.
Honors and recognition
His military honors include Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
s, the Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, the Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service and Army Commendation Medals.
In 2000 the American Medical Association honored him with its highest award for government officials, the Dr. Nathan Davis Award.
He is past Governor of the American College of Physicians/American Society of Internal Medicine and was named a Master by the society.
He was elected to the National Board of Medical Examiners and also joined the boards of Delsite, Inc, Noblis
Noblis
Noblis is a nonprofit research corporation headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. The firm performs scientific research and engineering with clients in the federal, state, and private sectors...
, Inc (formerly Mitretek Systems, Inc), Trauma Cure, Inc and The Annapolis Center for Science-Based Public Policy.