Mayo Foundation Trustees Announce Two New Named Professors

Friday, November 15, 2002

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Mayo Foundation Board of Trustees today recognized two Mayo Clinic physicians with Mayo Medical School named professorships at its meeting in Rochester, Minn.

The board recognized Lynn Hartmann, M.D., Mayo Clinic medical oncologist, as the recipient of the Blanche R. and Richard J. Erlanger Professorship in Medical Research. Blanche Erlanger's first contact with Mayo Clinic occurred in 1939, prior to her 1940 marriage to Richard Erlanger. Mr. Erlanger worked in newspaper and retail businesses, and later practiced law in Dallas, Texas. He died in July 1998 and is survived by Mrs. Erlanger.

Dr. Hartmann is the director of the Mayo Clinic Women's Cancer Program; associate director for education, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center; and the associate director of the Mayo Clinical Research Training Program. She also is a professor of oncology at Mayo Medical School. Dr. Hartmann completed her medical degree at Northwestern University Medical School, followed by an internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and a fellowship in medical oncology at Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. She also served as a clinical investigator at the National Cancer Institute-Biological Response Modifiers Program. Her research interests include breast and gynecologic cancers. She joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 1989.

The board also honored Lester Wold, M.D., Mayo Clinic pathologist, with the Geraldine Colby Zeiler Professorship in Cytopathology. Dr. William B. Zeiler established this professorship in memory of his wife who trained as a cytology technician at Mayo Clinic in 1950. Dr. Zeiler established the professorship in conjunction with the College of American Pathologists Foundation.

Dr. Wold is a professor of pathology at Mayo Medical School and the director of New England Pathologic Services. Dr. Wold formerly served as chair of the Mayo Clinic Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. He also is a recipient of the Mayo Clinic Excellence in Leadership Award. He received his medical degree from the University of Chicago, followed by a residency in pathology at Mayo Clinic. His research foci include immunocytochemistry, bone tumor and tumor-like conditions, and breast diseases. He joined the Mayo Clinic staff in 1981.

Named professorships at Mayo Medical School represent the highest academic distinction for a faculty member. Faculty are appointed to a professorship through nomination and endorsement of their peers, and then confirmed by Mayo Clinic senior leadership. Appointed individuals are recognized for distinguished achievement in their specialty areas and service to the institution. The Mayo Foundation Board of Trustees confers the named professorship in person at a board meeting. Named professors hold the appointment for the duration of their active Mayo Clinic careers. Upon an incumbent's retirement, a new professor is appointed. The professorship remains in perpetuity.

These professorships are named in honor of the benefactors. The gift funds, which may be unrestricted or focused on a specific medical area, are held in endowment. All income from the endowed professorship goes directly to support Mayo Clinic programs in medical education and research.

The Mayo Foundation Board of Trustees, a 30-member group of public representatives, Mayo physicians and administrators, is responsible for patient care, medical education and research activities at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.; Rochester, Minn.; and Scottsdale, Ariz.

Lisa Copeland
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511(evenings)
email: newsbureau@mayo.edu
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