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Michael Leibowitz, Ph.D. |
Dr. Leibowitz, deputy director of UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute, succeeds Bruce Buehler, M.D., who is retiring after 25 years as director of MMI and 16 years as chairman of pediatrics. Dr. Buehler will continue to serve on the full-time faculty.
“Mike is as knowledgeable about MMI as anyone on this campus and will do an outstanding job as interim director,” Dr. Maurer said. “His background as deputy director will provide for a smooth transition during this interim period. I am most grateful to Dr. Buehler for his outstanding work in bringing MMI to its current level of achievement.”
“Dr. Leibowitz and I have worked together for 25 years,” Dr. Buehler said. “He is an outstanding administrator and he has long been an advocate for children and adults with special needs for the state and at the national level. Dr Leibowitz will be an excellent interim director of MMI.”
Dr. Leibowitz has served as deputy director of MMI since 1997. He also serves as director of the Nebraska Center for Disabilities at MMI, associate professor of pediatrics and section head in pediatrics for the rehabilitation medicine section.
Dr. Maurer announced Friday that a new search committee will be formed to work with Korn Ferry, the search firm instrumental in recruiting UNMC’s new dean of the College of Pharmacy.
“Bruce will be a very tough act to follow,” Dr. Leibowitz said. “We have many ongoing programs and new innovations and this is an opportunity to explore new directions with our board and the foundations that support us.”
The immediate goal, Dr. Leibowitz said, is to begin preparations for MMI to become an academic program at UNMC.
“Building MMI’s academic mission will be a major opportunity for us to expand interactions with the other colleges and programs on campus,” he said. “It also will increase the visibility of the institute regarding the teaching we do for the 225-plus students at the institute, including medical students, residents, post doctoral fellows and interdisciplinary interns who come to us from as many as 40 colleges and universities across the country.”
Dr. Leibowitz came to UNMC in 1974 from Johns Hopkins University, where he was associate director of psychological services. He launched his career at UNMC as director of psychological services and has worn many hats over the years.
As deputy director of MMI, Dr. Leibowitz has been responsible for the day-to-day management of MMI and leadership of the Nebraska Center for Disabilities, which is federally funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The center provides administrative and core support to MMI in its efforts to help communities across the state respond to the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families.
“We’ve known Mike Leibowitz for a long time in his role working for Bruce,” said
Steve McWhorter, president of the Hattie B. Munroe Foundation Board. “In working with him I’ve been impressed with his knowledge of the MMI and our mission and couldn’t be more pleased that he will serve as director in the interim.”
“Mike has been fantastic to work with on issues involving the C. Louis Meyer Board,” said Rick Boldt, president of the C. Louis Meyer Foundation Board. “We look forward to working with him in his role as interim director.”
Phyllis Choat, president of the Munroe-Meyer Institute Operating Board, agreed.
“He was as obvious a choice for the MMI interim director as Tom Osborne was for UNL’s interim athletic director,” Choat said. “He knows the staff, the programs and the clients and relates well with everyone. I look forward to continuing to work with him in his new capacity.”
“I am delighted to hear Dr. Leibowitz has been named as interim director for MMI,” said Nina Head, president of the MMI Guild. “He has been a significant leader with MMI and is a great supporter of the MMI Guild.”
A New York City native, Dr. Leibowitz’s research interest is in developmental disabilities and analysis and remediation of behavior problems in young children.
Dr. Leibowitz received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from New York University in New York, his master’s degree in general psychology from the University of Maryland in College Park, Md., and his doctoral degree in clinical and experimental psychology from the University of Maryland.