Michel A. Ibrahim, dean of the School of Public Health since 1982, will step down when his current five-year term expires Sept. 15, 1997.
Ibrahim will remain at the University and resume his teaching and research.
"Since its beginning, the sole purpose of our School of Public Health has been to improve the health of North Carolinians and others outside the state," Chancellor Michael Hooker said. "Through Dean Ibrahim's strong but gentle guidance, the school now stands in the very first rank of public health institutions in education, public service and research. All North Carolinians can take pride in it, and we are grateful to Michel for his dedication."
Garland Hershey, vice provost for health affairs, said Ibrahim had long been a nationally recognized leader in public health.
"He has a rare combination of professional competence and personal warmth that has made him an exceptionally effective leader of our superb School of Public Health."
Among Ibrahim's achievements, Hershey said, were orchestrating a successful grass-roots campaign for the new McGavran-Greenberg Building to house expanding public health activities and creating a board of advisers to help with state health issues.
The physician also presided over the school's 50th anniversary, appointed new chairs in every department, reorganized several departments and emphasized public health practice and leadership by establishing a new curriculum. During his tenure, enrollment increased by 33 percent to 1,200 students, faculty rose by 18 percent to 177 members and grants and contracts jumped 145 percent to $27 million annually.
"Michel also formed a development office and a public health foundation, began a strategic planning process and promoted minority health," Hershey said. "He strongly supported research into such emerging issues as AIDS, violence, health promotion and disease and injury prevention, and he revised the school's tenure and promotion guidelines to emphasize teaching and practice besides research and service."
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