Dr. John Hutton, dean of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, has announced plans to retire after 14 years on the job.

        Dr. Hutton, who will turn 65 this month, will serve as dean until a replacement can be named or until his term ends in August 2002. A search will begin at once, UC officials said.

        The UC College of Medicine was established in 1819 and is the oldest medical school west of the Allegheny Mountains. Its 950 faculty members, in addition to teaching and conducting research, provide care at University Hospital, the VA Medical Center, Children's Hospital Medical Center and other offices and clinics.

        The college ranks among the largest 10 percent of 125 medical schools nationwide, with 650 medical students, 400 graduate medical students and 700 medical resi
dents.

        UC's medical campus has seen two high-level departures in recent months. In January, Dr. Kenneth Foon stepped down as director of UC's Barrett Cancer Center after less than two years on the job. Last week, Dr. Josef Fischer resigned as chairman of UC's Department of Surgery.

        Dr. Hutton ranks among the five longest-tenured active medical school deans in the country.

        Dr. Donald Harrison, senior vice president and provost for health affairs at the UC Medical Center, said Dr. Hutton's planned departure reflects his stage of life rather than any problems at UC

        forcing him out.

        “John Hutton has done an outstanding job in my view. This is more of a normal time for a change. What we will seek now is for someone to be in that role for another 10 years or so,” Dr. Harrison said.

        Overall, research funding has been growing and finances at UC have been more stable than at many other medical schools. What UC's medical campus faces is a generational shift in leadership, Dr. Hutton said.

        “A number of leaders have been here a long time,” Dr. Hutton said. “Over the next few years, a number of us will be changing.”

        Dr. Fischer, for example, left at age 64 after 23 years in that post. UC President Joe Steger, also 64, has hinted that he expects to step down after his term expires in June 2002, after what would be 18 years on the job, Dr. Hutton said.

        Meanwhile, Dr. Harrison, 67, has been at his post since 1986. Dr. Harrison said he has no specific time when he plans to retire.

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