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Sam Cohen, M.D., Ph.D. |
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Audrey Lazenby, M.D. |
Dr. Cohen will continue his involvement in surgical pathology, as well as his research, focusing on mechanisms of carcinogenesis.
“Sam’s leadership has been instrumental in UNMC’s growth into a major medical center,” said John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the UNMC College of Medicine.
On Monday, Dr. Gollan announced that Audrey Lazenby, M.D., would serve as interim chairwoman, effective July 1. “Since joining the department as professor and director of anatomic pathology on Jan. 1, Dr. Lazenby has established herself as a superb leader,” Dr. Gollan said.
During his tenure, Dr. Cohen developed a Ph.D. program for pathology, started the M.D./Ph.D. program at UNMC, incorporated the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory into UNMC and recruited and nurtured numerous faculty leaders.
“Most importantly, he has built a department known for quality clinical service, excellent educational programs and an extramural research funding per faculty ratio that ranks in the top 10 nationally among pathology departments,” Dr. Gollan said.
Dr. Cohen joined UNMC in 1981 as professor and vice chairman of pathology and professor at the Eppley Institute. He became chairman of the department of pathology and microbiology in 1992. He received his bachelor’s of science, medical and post doctorate (oncology) degree, all from the University of Wisconsin.
Dr. Cohen’s research was key in the federal government’s 2000 decision to drop saccharin from its list of cancer-causing chemicals. In 2001, he received the prestigious Arnold J. Lehman Award from the Society of Toxicology for more than 35 years of work in carcinogenesis and toxicology research, primarily utilizing the urinary bladder as a model system.
Dr. Lazenby, meanwhile, is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. She did her residency at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, her surgical pathology fellowship at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill and her gastrointestinal pathology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Dr. Lazenby joined the department of pathology at Johns Hopkins University in 1988 as an assistant professor. In 1995, she joined the department of pathology at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, as an associate professor.
In addition to her leadership role in anatomic pathology, Dr. Lazenby’s clinical specialty interests include gastrointestinal pathology, particularly inflammatory diseases and infectious diseases, as well as fatty liver disease. Her research interests are in clinicopathology.
Dr. Gollan soon will identify the committee charged with searching for a new pathology and microbiology chairperson.