Three named Distinguished University Professor

At its March meeting, the NEOMED Board of Trustees recognized the extraordinary accomplishments of three members of the faculty who have given dedicated and distinguished service to the University.

Michael Forbes, M.D., FAAP, FCCM, Joseph Zarconi, M.D., FACP, and Yanqiao Zhang, M.D., have been given the title Distinguished University Professor, the highest rank that a professor can achieve. This is only the third time that Board of Trustees have approved this title. In being so honored, Drs. Forbes, Zarconi and Zhang join Hans Thewissen, Ph.D., professor and chair of anatomy and neurobiology, and John Chiang, Ph.D., emeritus professor, as Distinguished University Professors.

About the honorees:

Michael Forbes, M.D., FAAP, FCCM, is professor of pediatrics at NEOMED and chief academic officer for Akron Children’s Hospital, where he has been a core faculty member for the pediatric residency. According to the Board resolution: “His mentorship consistently has led to the placement of his mentees into competitive fellowship positions both in critical care and in other fields. His mentorship has also often led to his shepherding his mentees to successful publications during residency and fellowship.” Dr. Forbes is also the Rebecca D. Considine Endowed Chair for Pediatric Research and head of the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute at Akron Children’s. His publications and scholarly work cover a range of topics in pediatric critical care, often using population-based data to challenge care norms, hone therapy and predict outcomes. In addition, he has authored several papers with broad application to medicine in the areas of quality of care, patient safety and provider well-being.

Joseph Zarconi, M.D. (’81), FACP, is professor of internal medicine at NEOMED and a proud graduate of the University. Dr. Zarconi is a scholar with a passion for medical humanities. He was instrumental in the development of the reflective practice component of the College of Medicine curriculum as well as the Social Justice Pathway. His written work on social justice and humanities has received national recognition through the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation. As noted in the Board resolution: “He has spent countless hours volunteering at the Student-Run Free Clinic and is a role model who inspires our students and clinical faculty to continually seek to be a better physician.”

Yanqiao Zhang, M.D., is professor of internal medicine and director of the Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism research focus area at NEOMED. Dr. Zhang is currently the principal investigator on five NIH R01 grants, with three additional R01s in review.

Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on understanding the pathogenesis of diseases associated with dysregulation of lipid, bile acid and/or glucose metabolism to identify novel therapeutic targets or approaches for treatment. The Board resolution notes: “In addition to being recognized nationally and internationally for his research accomplishments, Dr. Zhang works to ensure that NEOMED is also recognized as a leading research institution.”