NEOUCOM president to step down in 2009

Kristen Traynor

Nora will not renew her contract, says head role ‘is rapidly expanding beyond a single person’

Dr. Lois Margaret Nora

Credit: DKS Editors

The president and dean of the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine and Pharmacy has decided not to renew her contract after spending six years with the program.

Dr. Lois Margaret Nora announced her decision Monday and recommended several changes be made in the leadership structure of the program.

In a letter to the NEOUCOM community, Nora wrote, “One of the brutal facts that I have had to face is that the role of president and dean is rapidly expanding beyond a single person.”

In the letter, she cited scheduling conflicts and complications that occurred because of her dual role and explained her reasoning for the decision not to extend her contract. Her contract expires Dec. 31, 2009, and she said announcing her decision now gives the presidential search committee plenty of time to find a suitable replacement.

Mark Bosko, director of public relations and marketing at NEOUCOM, said Nora has not decided what she is going to do when her resignation goes into effect.

“Since it’s 18 months away, she’s still firmly focused on leading the institution,” Bosko said.

NEOUCOM has programs in universities around Northeast Ohio, including Kent State, Youngstown State and the University of Akron. More than 80 students are currently enrolled in NEOUCOM at Kent State.

Nora was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

She has a medical degree from Rush Medical College as well as a law degree from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Kentucky.

Program officials have begun working on preliminary research for Nora’s successor, and Bosko said they hope to release information about the search and the committee by Sept. 1.

Contact principal reporter Kristen Traynor at [email protected].