$1 Million Gift Will Benefit Infectious Diseases at UC

CINCINNATI—The University of Cincinnati (UC) Academic Health Center has received a $1 million endowment to support research and education in the College of Medicine's division of infectious diseases.

The gift, from Ward Bullock, MD, will first establish the Ward E. Bullock Endowment Fund for Research and Education in Infectious Diseases. With additional contributions, the division hopes the fund will eventually create a $1.5 million Ward E. Bullock Endowed Chair in Infectious Diseases to be awarded to a prominent academic researcher in the field.

“The impact of infectious diseases on health care is global—new diseases emerge annually that affect many lives,” says George Deepe, MD, director of UC’s infectious diseases division. “Without the generous support of individuals like Dr. Bullock, we would not be able to make progress in the study of diseases such as AIDS, find subsequent treatments or educate young minds in this important field.

“Dr. Bullock is a pioneer of infectious diseases,” he adds, “and we are thankful not only for his research and clinical contributions, but also for his generosity and commitment in helping to secure the future of infectious disease research and education in Cincinnati.”

Bullock is currently an emeritus professor of medicine at UC. During his 45-year career, he has worked in nearly every academic capacity, including serving on the faculties at UC and the universities of Rochester and Kentucky, and as dean of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

At UC, Bullock has served as director of the infectious diseases division and Arthur Russell Morgan Professor of Medicine (1980–94), associate chair for research (1988–89, 1993–94), senior associate dean of the College of Medicine (1989–91) and adjunct professor of molecular genetics, biochemistry and microbiology (1980–94).

In 2001, after serving as professor of medicine at Connecticut for seven years, Bullock returned to UC to lead the college’s reaccredidation process and continue his clinical and teaching work in infectious diseases.

“I have a deep love for UC that dates back to when my father was a professor of mechanical engineering here,” says Bullock. “I’ve had many opportunities in my professional career, but feel that I owe UC a great deal for providing me with stimulus and inspiration for the work I was able to accomplish. The support I have received from the College of Medicine and my colleagues has been truly outstanding.”

Internationally known for his work on leprosy and histoplasmosis, Bullock has published 117 medical and scientific papers and book chapters. From 1990 to 1995, he was director of one of two national centers of excellence in the study of fungal diseases and was the first to bring fluorescence-activated cell-sorting technology to the UC College of Medicine.

A graduate of Temple University School of Medicine, Bullock completed his residency and fellowship in internal medicine and infectious diseases at the University of Minnesota and Yale University Medical Center. In subsequent years, he served as visiting professor of experimental pathology for one year each at Yale and Rockefeller University.