Jack Brose, D.O., a leading advocate of medical education and dean of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM), recently received the medical school’s alumni society Special Recognition Award.

Brose, who for the last two years has been the chairman of the Ohio Council of Medical School Deans, earned the award, “for his extraordinary vision and commitment to osteopathic education, for his advocacy on behalf of Ohio’s medical schools, and for embracing alumni … as an integral part of the college community,” says Thomas Anderson, D.O. (’83), president of the OU-COM’s Society of Alumni and Friends.

As chairman of the council, Brose is a primary advocate for Ohio’s medical schools with Ohio’s Board of Regents, General Assembly and governor’s office. Brose’s efforts were crucial in the inclusion of medical education as one of the state’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine (STEMM) programs, which are exempted from certain educational budget cuts. Earlier this year, Brose received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio State Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Brose also has served as the medical school representative on the Ohio Higher Education Funding Study Council.

Brose has received 25 outstanding instructor awards, including being chosen as Family Practice Educator of the Year by the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians in 2001.

The Special Recognition Award, made at the college’s annual Continuing Medical Education and Class Reunion, was the first given by the alumni organization.

“Jack Brose understands and values the importance of alumni relations and the ongoing involvement of our graduates of our graduates in the future of our college. He exemplifies the responsibility we, too, have to our graduates: to work with them and advocate for them as we help them become integral in the life of Ohio University. We are most fortunate to have such extraordinary leadership and support at OU-COM.”

“His enthusiasm is contagious,” says Anderson, who surprised Brose with the award.

Upon receiving the award, Brose says that one of the best parts of being dean is working with graduates.

“Getting out and seeing former students and their tremendous successes in medicine helps foster an enthusiastic environment at the college,” says Brose. “Our graduates are certainly a driving force behind what we do each and every day.” 

In his remarks, Brose acknowledged the importance of former OU-COM Dean Frank Myers, D.O., who was in attendance, as his mentor during Myers’ tenure as dean from 1977–1993.

“It was very thoughtful of the Society of Alumni and Friends to recognize his contributions,” commented Ohio University Provost Kathy Krendl, Ph.D. “Dr. Brose has provided valuable leadership at a critical time in the history of the college.”

During the fifth annual CME & All Class Reunion the society and college also recognized eight alumni, friends and supporters of the college with awards for their contributions to the college, profession and to medical education during the reunion dinner on Saturday evening. The three-day event, which took place Oct. 27–29 at the Hilton Easton in Columbus, brought more than 175 physicians to 22 workshops and didactic sessions on diabetes management, advances in radiology, osteopathic manipulative treatment for the geriatric patient and dermatology case studies, among other topics.