Two Accomplished Professors Receive Emeritus Recognition

Two highly regarded and respected UA College of Medicine – Phoenix faculty members have been named Emeritus Professors by University of Arizona President Ann Weaver Hart, PhD.

Mark Haussler, PhD, and Michael Grossman, MD, both distinguished educators at the College, will retire this year. Each has received the prestigious faculty designation with the support of their Department Heads, Dean Stuart D. Flynn, Provost Andrew Comrie and President Hart.

Dr. Haussler will retire as Regents’ Professor Emeritus of Basic Medical Sciences, while Dr. Grossman will retire as Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine. They are the only two UA College of Medicine – Phoenix faculty members who have received the Emeritus designation.

Dean Flynn said both professors have been vital to the development of the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix.

“Dr. Haussler helped select faculty for the then-newly designed Department of Biomedical Sciences, build curriculum and help set the foundation for our success,” he said, “while Dr. Grossman has been a valued physician and educator statewide. He has used these skills to play a critical role in building GME at individual hospitals in the Valley and state, and has been a strong proponent in the value of collaborative models in such training. Both are most deserving of this honor.”

Haussler

Dr. Haussler has been a professor at the University of Arizona for more than 45 years and has received a Lifetime Educator of the Year Award. He started his career at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson as an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and was the first head of the department of Basic Medical Sciences for the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix. He was key to the development of the Phoenix campus, recruiting the founding faculty of the school. Dr. Haussler’s research has resulted in his recognition as a national leader for his work studying Vitamin D and its effect on osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases. In 2010, he received a Valley of the Sun professorship funded by Salt River Project and the Virginia G. Piper Trust.

Grossman

Dr. Grossman is retiring as Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education. It is fitting that his title will include “Emeritus,” since in Latin, the word means “veteran soldier.” Dr. Grossman was the chief of medicine and pharmacy at the 85th evacuation hospital in Phu-Bai, Vietnam, and was instrumental in developing the U.S. Army’s first drug rehabilitation center during the Vietnam War after noticing servicemen showing signs of addition to narcotics. He has been on the faculty at the University of Arizona for more than 30 years. Betsey Bayless, President Emeritus of Maricopa Integrated Health System, credited Dr. Grossman with saving MIHS’ residency program. He received the Maricopa Health Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in October 2015.

Please share in our significant pride and appreciation for all Drs. Haussler and Grossman have done for our school, our partners, the community, the state and the University of Arizona.

Stuart D. Flynn, MD
Former Dean, UA College of Medicine - Phoenix