Feb. 8 , 2005
Norman - Edward N. Brandt Jr., Regents’ Professor Emeritus at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, will be honored as one of four distinguished alumni of OU’s College of Arts and Sciences at its annual Kaleidoscope Evening, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, in the ballroom of Oklahoma Memorial Union, 900 Asp Ave., Norman.
In addition to receiving the award, Brandt will deliver a free, public presentation titled “A Look at the Healthcare System in Oklahoma” at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 24 in the Scholars Room in the union.
An Oklahoma native, Brandt received his bachelor of science degree in mathematics in 1954, a medical degree in 1960, and doctoral degree in biostatistics in 1963 from the University of Oklahoma. He also earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Oklahoma State University. Following his medical training, Brandt moved into academic administration. His administrative career began when he served as the first chair of the Department of Biostatics and Epidemiology. Later, he served as associate dean of the College of Medicine and associate director of the OU Medical Center (the original name for OU Health Sciences Center). In addition to his administrative services at the HSC, Brandt was dean of graduate studies and dean of medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch, president of the University of Maryland at Baltimore and vice chancellor for health affairs of the University of Texas System.
From 1981 to 1984, he served as assistant secretary for health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and from 1982 to 1984 as U.S. representative on the World Health Organization Executive Board. For his work in the 1980s to educate the public on the AIDS epidemic, the National AIDS Fund named its annual award in his honor.
Brandt rejoined the administration of the OU Health Sciences Center in 1989 as executive dean of the College of Medicine, later assuming the role of director of the Center for Health Policy Research and Development.
During his 43-year career in public health policy and administration, Brandt has received more than 80 university and professional awards, including election to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy Science. This prestigious organization was limited to only 300 members when Brandt was named in 1981.
His contributions as an outstanding academic scholar and community leader are evidenced through awards such as the Distinguished Leadership Award given by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Distinguished Public Service Award from the U.S. Department of Defense, a Presidential Citation from the Oklahoma State Medical Association, election to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Excellence in Public Health Award.
In addition to his academic degrees, Brandt holds honorary degrees from the Medical University of South Carolina at Charleston, the New York Institute of Technology at Old Westbury and Rush University of Health Sciences in Chicago.
Other distinguished alumni being honored by the College of Arts and Sciences at the Kaleidoscope Evening are Fred R. Harris, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee; A. Thomas Loy, co-founder of Oklahoma MetaFund Community Development Corp.; and David Wanser,
Texas deputy commissioner for behavioral and community health.
Peter G. Pierce III, president of First Bethany Bancorp, will be presented the college’s Distinguished Service Award. All four distinguished alumni will be giving presentations on Thursday, Feb. 24.
The Kaleidoscope Evening is the college’s annual fund-raising event for scholarships. Tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased by contacting Vivian Glore at (405) 325-2347.
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