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The length of Chancellor Michael Hooker's medical leave of absence will depend
on his doctors' advice and the progress of his treatment.
UNC President Molly Broad said that an original two-month estimate was based
on his doctors' prognosis at the start of Hooker's leave.
"We don't really know at this juncture (how long Hooker will be gone)," Broad
said. "We'll just have to wait and see what the team of doctors at the National
Cancer Institute conclude."
Hooker went to the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., on April 15
after consultations with Lee Berkowitz, the professor of medicine and
hematologist at UNC Hospitals who has been Hooker's primary physician since he
was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in January.
Hooker's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has become more aggressive recently, and he
will undergo experimental treatments at the National Cancer Institute. He is
scheduled to return to Bethesda periodically for continued treatment.
Broad appointed William O. McCoy -- a Carolina graduate, former BellSouth
executive and retired UNC system vice president -- acting chancellor while
Hooker is on leave.
Broad said the natural choice for acting chancellor would have been Provost
Dick Richardson. But because Richardson himself is on medical leave recovering
from a heart attack, she decided to go outside for an acting chancellor.
"Bill McCoy knows this University from the inside out," Broad said. "He has my
full and unqualified support."
McCoy told a special meeting of the faculty that he regretted the
circumstances of his appointment but looked forward to helping his alma mater
stay on course during Hooker's absence.
Broad said Hooker's leave will help get him ready to retake the reigns.
"The most important thing now is that Chancellor Hooker take care of himself
so that he can return at full strength," Broad said. "We look forward to having
him back soon."
McCoy will make chancellor-level decisions during Hooker's absence, although
Hooker took the lead in the search for deans for the law and nursing schools.
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