LOUISVILLE – Dr. Larry Cook, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and long-time faculty member at the University of Louisville, has been appointed interim executive vice president for health affairs, announced President James R. Ramsey today.

            Ramsey said Cook’s appointment begins immediately so he can work with current HSC executive vice president Joel Kaplan on a smooth transition.  Kaplan announced last week that he will step down effective Aug. 16 to join the faculty full-time.

            “Given Dr. Cook’s experience with the university and the Louisville Medical Center, his noteworthy administrative skills and the respect he has earned during his many years at U of L, I believe he is well prepared to keep our thriving health sciences initiatives moving full speed ahead during this transition period,” Ramsey said.

            Cook holds undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Louisville. He joined the U of L faculty in 1974 after completing his pediatric residency at the University of Colorado Medical Center and his neonatology fellowship at U of L.

            Cook was named chair of the pediatrics department and chief of staff at Kosair Children’s Hospital in 1994. He is also president and chairman of the School of Medicine’s Practice Plan board and the Medical School Practice Association. He has served as president and has been instrumental in the development of University Health Care Inc., a Medicaid managed care HMO known as Passport, since its inception, Ramsey said.

            “This university is very precious to me, and I am honored to be offered this exciting and challenging opportunity,” Cook said. “I am committed to moving quickly ahead with our broad-based agenda promoting excellence in research, clinical programs and all forms of health sciences education.”

            The U of L pediatrics research program has thrived under Cook’s leadership. According to published reports from the National Institutes of Health, the department has risen from 70^th to 43^rd in the national rankings of pediatrics departments for NIH-funded research between 1996 and 2003. The department grew from $570,611 in 1996 to $3.7 million in 2003 in annual NIH research support.

            "Larry's knowledge of the health sciences and collaborative approach will be an asset to the university," added Provost Shirley Willihnganz.  "We look forward to his contributions to the leadership team as part of the president’s office."