Executive vice chancellor lauded as 鈥榩hysician-scientist whose influence has reached the highest levels鈥
Mark Klempner, MD, executive vice chancellor for MassBiologics of UMass Medical School and professor of medicine, was recognized by Chancellor Michael F. Collins with a Chancellor鈥檚 Medal to honor his outstanding leadership as he prepares to step down from the top post.
鈥淎 cherished colleague who is held in the highest regard, a campus leader who has earned our highest respect and a physician-scientist whose influence has reached the highest levels, Dr. Klempner, on behalf of the Medical School community, I have the great privilege to recognize you today with a Chancellor鈥檚 Medal,鈥 said Chancellor Collins at a June 15 event welcoming Mireli Fino, MBA, who will serve as the next executive vice chancellor for MassBiologics, beginning in July.
Collins acknowledged Dr. Klempner鈥檚 contributions to public and global health, reflecting on his passion for upholding the mission of MassBiologics, the nation鈥檚 only nonprofit FDA-licensed manufacturer of vaccines and biologics, in operation for more than 125 years.
鈥淵ou have invigorated the research and development enterprise and greatly enhanced research funding to support and sustain strategic priorities and therapeutic candidates for a range of diseases, from diphtheria to enterotoxigenic E.coli to Parkinson鈥檚, and your initial and early research focus on Lyme disease,鈥 Collins said. "From Mattapan to Mumbai, and everywhere in between, you have elevated the human condition and helped change the course of the history of disease.鈥
Klempner thanked Collins, the leadership team at UMMS and colleagues for their support, inspiration and success in driving discoveries forward to improve global health.
鈥淭his has been the most rewarding nine years of my medical career, which spans now 47 years,鈥 Klempner said. 鈥淟ook at where the medicines we make go. The things that we do every day, from our vaccine, to our vector manufacturing, and everything in between. It鈥檚 just an amazing organization.鈥
Klempner will remain on the Medical School faculty and will continue to lead research. Fino is joining MassBiologics from Protein Sciences, a Sanofi company in Meriden, Conn., where she has worked since 2012 as senior vice president for manufacturing operations.