USF names Stephen Klasko new leader of Health Sciences Center
Click Here for Dr. Klasko's curriculum vitae
TAMPA, Fla. (July 16, 2004) USF President Judy Genshaft today named Stephen Klasko vice president for Health Sciences and dean for the College of Medicine at the University of South Florida. Dr. Klasko comes to USF from Drexel University where he served as dean of the College of Medicine, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and dean of graduate medical education.
"I am impressed by his passion for students, research and community partnerships," Genshaft said. "It was very clear that he is a strategic thinker who has tremendous energy and enthusiasm. He is a great fit for where USF is today and plan to be in the future."
Dr. Klasko, who will start in September, takes over at a time of dynamic growth for the Health Sciences Center. The construction of a new College of Nursing building is well under way, and the Florida Legislature this year appropriated $25 million for USF to build a state-of-the art outpatient facility for health care and education. Dr. Klasko will oversee the Health Science Center's $119-million research program, which continues to gain in national stature as its emphasis on interdisciplinary and federal funding increases. He will manage relationships with clinical affiliates across the Tampa Bay Area, including major teaching hospitals, community clinics and public and private health agencies.
"I am excited about the potential that exists at an already great Health Sciences Center," Dr. Klasko said. "I look forward to working with the deans, chair, faculty and staff to create a university that is viewed nationally as having an elite Health Sciences Center. I am encouraged by the vision of President Genshaft and the trajectory USF is on, and I look forward to accomplishing the vision set forth by the president and the Board of Trustees. The running start provided by the leadership of Robert Belsole as interim dean will allow us to move the agenda forward quickly."
Dr. Klasko was previously professor and associate chair for Pennsylvania State University's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition, he served as chair and residency program director for Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania; president of the board of the directors of the Lehigh Valley Physician's Group; and medical director for the Trexlertown Women's Health Mall.
Dr. Klasko has a bachelor of science in chemistry and biology from Lehigh University, a doctorate in medicine from Hahnemann University and a master's in business administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a fellow in American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of several community boards, including Casa Guadalupe, a nationally recognized Latino health care organization. He also is a member of numerous professional organizations.
Dr. Klasko is the author of The Phantom Stethoscope: A Field Manual for Creating an Optimistic Future in Medicine. The Journal of the American Medical Association called the book a "must read for every board member and anyone else who wants to understand the challenges of medicine in the future." He is currently working on Collision Course: The Privatization of Academic Health Care.
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