August 9, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Dr. William Koopman, chairman of the department of medicine at UAB since 1995, has announced his intention to step down from that position as of July 1, 2005. He will remain as a faculty member, continuing his tenure at UAB that began in 1977.

“When I accepted this position, I felt that 10 to 11 years was the longest I would stay,” Koopman said. “At about that point in a department this large, the pace of change and the need for fresh ideas makes a change in leadership desirable.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as chairman and my association with my colleagues, and I am very proud of what we have accomplished together. However, I have four grandchildren and two daughters who live at opposite ends of the nation and I want to be able to spend more time with them.”

The Department of Medicine is the largest department in UAB’s medical center, and under Koopman’s leadership, has been among the elite programs in terms of research funding from the National Institutes of Health, currently ranked 11th. Extramural funding for the department exceeds $160 million — some one-third of UAB’s total research funding. He also led important efforts to partner with private industry, notably UAB’s partnership with Sankyo, a Japanese pharmaceutical company — a collaboration that has resulted in more than $16 million in funding.

“In addition to time with my family, I look forward to working with our Sankyo/UAB program and having more time to work on licensing agreements similar to the one we have with Sankyo,” Koopman said. “I believe there are many such opportunities that exist for UAB researchers.”

“Dr. Koopman’s national reputation and superb leadership have been critical to sustaining UAB’s prominence in medical education, research and patient care,” said UAB President Carol Z. Garrison. “He is truly one of UAB’s stars, and we are so grateful to him.”

“Dr. Koopman has been a tireless leader for not only the Department of Medicine, but for the entire university,” said Dr. William Deal, UAB vice president and dean of the School of Medicine. “We are fortunate that he will continue to serve as a member of the faculty and enhance the reputation of the institution.”

Koopman, author or co-author of more than 260 scientific writings, is internationally recognized for his contributions in the understanding of the pathophysiology and management of rheumatoid arthritis.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington and Jefferson College and his medical degree from Harvard University. After completing his residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital, he worked three years at the National Institute of Dental Research as a staff fellow. He then came to UAB in May 1977.

“The wealth of talent at UAB is immense,” Koopman said. “This truly is an institution that does not rise or fall on the reputation of a very few.”